Listed architect and engineer Aukett Group has appointed Steven Beckers managing director of its European operations and Lutz Heese non-executive director with immediate effect.
The appointments come after a turbulent chapter in the history of the firm, which resulted in the former head of Spanish architect Imagina, Jose Luis Ripoll, taking over as chairman and chief executive.

Ripoll was backed by 65% of shareholders, who wanted him to pursue a more active policy in Europe. The appointments reflect Aukett's drive to capitalise on its offices and joint ventures around the continent.

Beckers, 44, is a Belgian architect who was one of the key figures alongside Ripoll in replacing the old board. He has been a partner of the Brussels architect Art & Build since 1999 and was already a non-executive director at Aukett Group.

Heese, 56, is a German registered architect, and is owner and chief executive of Architekturburo Heese GmbH in Munich.

He has been associated with Aukett Group in the past decade through a number of joint ventures.