Bruton Knowles Strengthens Utilities and Infrastructure Team with Senior Hire

Bruton Knowles, the national chartered surveyor, has continued the growth of its Utilities and Infrastructure Team with the appointment of Collette Brown-Bolton, marking another significant hire as the business continues to invest in its senior talent.

Collette brings over 25 years of experience in property and infrastructure to Bruton Knowles, having held senior roles at Network Rail for 18 years, as well as recently working with the Department for Transport.

“I’m thrilled to be joining such a talented team at Bruton Knowles,” Collette said. “I never imagined returning to private practice or working on CPOs again, but I am genuinely excited to bring my experience to this business.”

During her time with Network Rail, Collette worked across some of the UK’s most high-profile infrastructure projects including the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station. The project represented one of the largest regeneration schemes in the West Midlands, where Collette worked closely with Birmingham City Council on compulsory purchase and land acquisition strategies, and was the lead contact for complex negotiations involving land access, leases and licences.

Additionally, Collette worked on a series of projects including national electrification schemes and the construction of new railway stations and depots, leading several teams in the end to end delivery of the projects.

Alongside her work on live infrastructure projects, Collette has built up wide-ranging expertise in land and property strategy. This includes land acquisition and disposals, temporary and permanent access solutions, portfolio management, easements, wayleaves and rights of way, as well as landlord and tenant negotiations. She also advised on restrictive covenants, title issues and long-term land use planning.

Following her time at Network Rail, Collette joined the Department for Transport, where she was responsible for asset and estate management across a significant national portfolio. A key part of her role involved overseeing complex lease structures. This added valuable central government and policy-facing experience to her already broad technical background.

She joins the National Utilities & Infrastructure Team at Bruton Knowles, with a national remit across estate management, infrastructure advisory and land assembly. Her role has been shaped to take advantage of her multidisciplinary background, allowing her to work flexibly across projects and support wider team development.

Theresa Tschainer, Partner and Regional Utilities and Infrastructure Lead, said: “Collette’s appointment reflects the scale and impact of our work across the UK’s infrastructure landscape. The fact that we are now attracting professionals of her calibre, those with decades of delivery experience at the highest levels, shows just how far the team has come. Her versatility, depth of expertise and commercial insight are already adding value for our clients and strengthening our national delivery offer.”

Her appointment follows the recent addition of Giles Lister as Head of Utilities. Managing Partner James Bailey added: “We’re building real momentum within our National Utilities & Infrastructure Team, and Collette’s appointment is a clear signal of that. Her joining us is not just a great hire—it demonstrates how our refreshed talent strategy is enabling growth by design. When individuals with this level of market equity become available, it reinforces our position as an employer of choice for top-tier talent in the infrastructure space.”

Bruton Knowles, one of the UK’s most well-known chartered surveyor firms, brings extensive expertise to the Utilities & Infrastructure sector. With its National Teams – Valuation, Commercial, Utilities & Infrastructure – supported by Building Consultancy, Land and Development, and Rural Service Teams, Bruton Knowles offers a seamless, high standard approach to delivering complex client projects.