Louann Hotson

Duncan Bedhall

Manston are sorry (for ourselves – but pleased for her!) to announce the retirement of long-standing Non-Executive Director, Louann Hotson. Louann joined the firm in 2013 as Finance Director before subsequently moving to become a Non-Executive Director upon retiring from her executive role in 2020.

Louann contributed hugely to the development and professionalisation of our finance function, working closely along-side then Managing Director, Julian Boardman-Weston. She has since proved to be a hugely valuable addition to our board as NED and been an invaluable sounding board to both members of the finance team and the Board of Directors.

Managing Director, Tom Boardman-Weston stated:

“Louann has played a huge part in the evolution of Manston over the past 13 years – both in her role as Finance Director and latterly as a NED. I have enjoyed working alongside Louann immensely and have gained a huge amount (as have the board and the firm more broadly) from her sage advice, probing questions and ability to act as an ‘outsider’ in challenging thought processes and decisions – there was never a conversation with Louann that I did not leave feeling as though I had extracted significant value from it.

“She will be a very hard act to follow, but I wish her the happiest of retirements and hope that she can devote more time to Anthony, her children, grandchildren; and her loves of the French language, art and opera.”

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However – Manston are simultaneously delighted to announce that joining the board as a director (in addition to his existing consultancy work with the Property Department) is Duncan Bedhall.

Duncan has been consulting for Manston since 2024, providing advice and support particularly on acquisitions, disposals and portfolio structuring, at both a tactical and strategic level. He has worked closely alongside Managing Director, Tom Boardman-Weston, in re-shaping the investment portfolio and structuring clear and thorough processes for investment due-diligence.

Tom Boardman-Weston stated,

“Almost the first thing Duncan said to me after starting to consult for us was that he was going to spend a lot of time ‘digging his fingers under my ribs’ – this he has most certainly done. Duncan’s rigorous approach to challenging received wisdom and encouraging the use of the ‘why are we doing this this way?’ mentality aligns very closely with my own views on always looking for ways to improve what we do and how we do it, and to always be challenging ourselves and our decision making processes. I have no doubt that these skills, alongside his significant experience as a board director elsewhere, will make him a most valuable addition to the Board of Directors”

Prior to joining Manston, Duncan was Senior Partner at Fisher German and previously Managing Partner of Halls and Founding Partner of Jarvie Bedhall. He also holds the Chairmanship of the Black Country Living Museum.