A property tax expert who set up the Valuation Office Agency’s London-based specialist rating unit — which handles some of Britain’s iconic sites and landmark developments — has joined Deloitte Real Estate as a senior specialist business rates consultant.
Gerry Biddle who, as head of the unit’s utilities, transport and telecoms team, oversaw the valuation of various key sites including The Channel Tunnel, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, The O2 Arena, The London Eye, Wembley Stadium, Windsor Castle and the 2012 Olympic Park.
To be based at the firm’s head office in London’s Athene Place, he will take up his post in July. “Deloitte Real Estate’s business rates team offers a diverse client base and I look forward to advising and consulting clients across a range of industry sectors, as well as working with a hugely talented, dynamic and growing team,” Biddle said.
Richard Johnson is a director in the business rates team at Deloitte. “We are delighted to have Gerry joining our team,” he commented. “His track record in specialist areas of business rates is beyond compare and his experience will provide clients with a level of insight that is truly at the cutting edge of practice.”
Chartered surveyors Walker Sime have strengthened their North West team with the appointment of Duncan Firth as director to lead its project management team.
He joins from Deloitte Real Estate’s Manchester office where he gained much of his 20 years’ experience of project management while holding several senior positions. Among the projects Firth has been involved in, both in the UK and overseas, are sporting venues for the 2012 London Olympics, City of Manchester Stadium, MediaCityUK and various projects in the Middle East and Europe.
“We are delighted that Duncan has joined us at such an exciting and important time in our growth,” commented Derek Walker, founding director of Walker Sime. “His skillset, industry reputation and ambition to drive our project management service will be another huge boost to our talent pool.” Walker Sime is currently working with Peel Holdings on a number of projects as part of the Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters master plans.
The global law firm CMS has promoted two of its Scottish solicitors to partners within its real estate practice. Angus MacRae and Chris Rae both joined the firm 12 months ago as a result of its merger with Dundas & Wilson.
Also in Scotland, Alan White, an experienced member of Gillespie Macandrew’s land and rural business team has been promoted to partner. It brings the Edinburgh-based law firm’s partner count to 18.
And Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has hired Lesley Dryden as a surveyor in its Dundee-based commercial department. With a Kingston University Master of Arts in European Real Estate, her work will involve red book valuations, rent reviews, lease renewals and development and investment consultancy services.
Savills has added Chris Sweeney to its South West-based leisure property team. Joining from Edwards and Partners, where he was responsible for the valuation and sale of holiday and residential caravan parks, he will divide his time between the firm’s Exeter and Truro offices.
Robert Gale-Hasleham, a director in the leisure and trading team at Savills in Chester will also be moving to its Exeter office to “concentrate on advising clients on a more local basis” across the region.
With offices in Durham and Carlisle and operating across the North of England and Scottish Borders, H&H Land and Property has appointed Peter Hull as its new operations director. Working with the company’s 36 staff members, his responsibilities will include the oversight and development of the firm’s commercial property business.
Story: Cliff Goodwin
Photo: Bigstock
