Award Winners - Fraser Brown Newman Architects – John Newman, Partner

Fraser Brown Newman Architects – John Newman, PartnerFraser Brown Newman Architects is a busy architects practice employing 12 staff. Established in 1987, FBN specialise in housing and regeneration projects with a social dimension, working with around 40 housing associations and leading private house builders across central Scotland.

As a Managing Partner in the firm, John Newman is aware of the need to safeguard the long-term future success of the business. With his fellow business partner looking at retirement in the next few years, it was vital that firm foundations were established from which the business could continue to build on, develop into other market areas while protecting their core area of expertise in social housing, and ensure the business was prepared for the succession of a new Managing Partner.

As an architect, John decided The Business Map would enable him to reinforce and improve on what he knew of business management, whilst challenging the way he managed his business. He was also looking for the programme to provide him with the skills to help develop his key staff to address the succession challenges the business faced. He was not disappointed: “The ‘know your people’ module has given me so much in terms of the practical ways to manage and develop my staff better, to allow them to take on more responsibility and solve their own problems. This has helped me to see if they have Partner potential and at the same time free up more of my time”

The Business Map proved so successful that John was able to stand back and look at the whole business and make improvements: “The business map came at a really useful time in the transition stage of our business; it was a terrific all round programme that makes you challenge what you do. I now know exactly what to do to build on our success, and prepare for Partner succession – I’d recommend it to anyone”

John’s enthusiasm and commitment led him to winning the Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence along with Consultancy and Training for the business and its staff worth £3,000.

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