Programme management specialist Precept has appointed Michael Stokes director of its project advisory services group.

Stokes was formerly operations board director of High-Point Rendel, with responsibility for global business and management services.

David Barry, one of the founding directors of Precept, said Stokes was the latest in a number of key strategic appointment that the company has made.

He said: “He has an exceptional reputation and the skills and integrity to be a driving force within our business as we continue to grow.”

Precept was founded by Barry and Brian Norton in an effort to establish the UK’s first specialist programme management company.

Norton said: “Our ambition is to be the UK’s leading programme and project management company, specialising in the planning and implementation of portfolio capital investment for both the private and public sector.”

Precept is currently providing programme management services for the Building Schools for the Future Programme and BSkyB’s major property strategy, and is preferred bidder for Argyll and Bute Council’s PFI project to rebuild 28 schools in educational campuses.

Precept’s turnover is expected to exceed £10m in this financial year.