Multidisciplinary built environment consultancy Ridge & Partners LLP has strengthened its Manchester leadership with the appointment of Martin Bissell as a Partner leading the firm’s MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) offering, marking a significant step in its regional growth strategy. Place North West
Bissell joins Ridge from global engineering firm Ramboll, where he spent 21 years and played a pivotal role in the delivery of more than 30 major education projects. His extensive experience in building services engineering and deep technical expertise in MEP design and delivery will be central to advancing Ridge’s ambition to expand its presence across the North West and nationwide.
In his new role, Bissell will head up Ridge’s Manchester MEP team, focusing on delivering technically excellent solutions and nurturing strong client and partner relationships. He highlighted Ridge’s appeal as a firm with the “perfect scale – not too big, and not too small”, appreciating its agility to undertake a diverse range of projects, from low-carbon offices and residential towers to advanced manufacturing facilities.
Bissell also spoke about the company’s people-driven growth ethos as a key draw, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to build on the success of the existing MEP team and support Ridge’s evolving practice with a focus on quality and collaborative delivery.
The appointment forms part of Ridge’s broader expansion within its Manchester office, which saw significant growth across multiple disciplines in 2025. The addition of Bissell and other senior hires supports the business’s goal of strengthening its multidisciplinary capabilities and positioning itself to seize opportunities amid increased investment in the North West’s built environment.
Ridge’s MEP services are integral to its full-spectrum consultancy, spanning architecture, structural and civil engineering, project and cost management and beyond. Bissell’s arrival is expected to enhance its ability to deliver complex, technically driven projects and further elevate client service standards across the region.
