Pictured above: Alex Watson joins father Paul at Barberry Developments 

Barberry Developments has announced that the company has become even more of a family affair with the appointment of Alex Watson as development surveyor.

Alex joins his father Paul Watson at Belbroughton-based Barberry, one of the most successful privately owned property development and investment companies in the West Midlands.

It means there are now two 'dads and lads' combinations at Barberry, with managing director John Bellfield and son Henry, director,  welcoming the new Watson double act.

Alex, aged 27, joins Barberry from GBR Phoenix Beard's investment team where he acted for a range of private individuals, property companies and funds including Aberdeen Asset Management, REI, CBRE-I and Stoford. He advised on building refurbishments, marketing campaigns, lettings, investment sales and investment purchases.

He previously worked in the residential development team at DTZ, undertaking bank valuations for RBS, Bank of Ireland, Dunbar Bank and others. He then moved on to the retail agency team acting on a variety of retail instructions around the Midlands for companies including Land Securities, Calthorpe Estates and Cordwell Properties.

Alex is looking forward to the challenges ahead in his new role at the ambitious company. He said: "I am of course delighted to be joining Barberry at what is a very exciting time for the company with several important development projects at the embryonic stages. There has been a significant increase in development activity at Barberry and I am looking forward to being involved in many key projects."

Paul Watson and John Bellfield are the principle owners of the business. Paul said: "Alex joins us at an exciting and challenging time for Barberry. The company is involved in some major projects including the Bishop Gate superstore development at Coventry and the Yew Tree Village residential scheme in Droitwich Spa.

"I'm sure that his skills, experience and enthusiasm will add greatly to the first class team here and I'm delighted to welcome him to the Barberry Developments family."   

Barberry recently submitted a planning application to transform part of Coventry city centre with an exciting new multi-million-pound superstore development. Barberry purchased the 200,000 sq ft former Royal Mail Sorting Centre and adjoining properties, including 50 Bishop Street, last year and is seeking planning permission for a large and comprehensive retail-led scheme on the site.

The development, which will be known as Bishop Gate, is 3.5 acre scheme which will produce a completed development value of around £50 million. The proposals were unveiled during public consultations in February.

Alex, who lives in Birmingham and hails from Worcestershire, studied real estate at Birmingham City University. He enjoys ski-ing, sailing, water ski-ing and cycling.