Farewell, but not goodbye: David Manion retires after 30 years at Perega

Following three decades of distinguished service, David Manion, Director at Perega’s Leeds office, is retiring at the end of this month.

David’s journey with Perega began in 1987 as an undergraduate with R H Thomason & Partners. He joined the practice full-time in 1996 and has since been a pivotal figure as the company navigated three name changes, helping to build our reputation as one of the UK’s leading structural and civil engineering consultancies.

A career built on expertise and relationships

Throughout his tenure, David has been commended for his excellence in insurance work and major loss projects. His expertise spans the full spectrum of this field, from complex subsidence investigations to structural engineering and project management across all types of losses, making him an invaluable resource for clients during challenging moments.

Career highlights that established Perega’s credentials in this specialist sector include managing the multi-million-pound rebuild for Pegler Ltd after a major fire, and the reconstruction of Hazelwood Foods following extensive flooding.

Demonstrating his ability to forge lasting client partnerships, David also led Perega’s first two Primark projects, in Aberdeen and Dunfermline, twenty years ago. These landmark commissions laid the foundation for what has become an enduring relationship with the retailer.

Crucially, David has also served as an expert witness for solicitors on diverse claims, from swimming pools to retaining walls.

Ensuring service continuity

To ensure seamless continuity for clients, David’s responsibilities will be divided among several talented colleagues. Mat Fairie, Operations Director, will take on management of our Leeds office, supported by Damian Cliff, Technical Director. Fraser Robb, Managing Director, and Paul Jarvis, Director, will assume David’s other roles across the business.

Reflecting on his time at Perega, David said: “It’s been a blast, 30 years have gone by so fast, and no two days have ever been the same. We have built a fantastic team that will continue with the clients and the work I have developed over those years.”

Fraser Robb, Managing Director, commented: “David has been instrumental in supporting Perega’s reputation in insurance and major loss work. His technical excellence, combined with his ability to build lasting client relationships, has been central to our success in this sector. We wish him all the best for this next chapter.”

Retirement brings new opportunities for David to pursue his passions. He will visit Japan in May and looks forward to spending more time on photography across Yorkshire. As he departs, David leaves behind a legacy of technical excellence, client dedication, and a thriving team equipped to continue the standard of service he helped to establish during his 30-year tenure.