Just days after posting a near 15-fold increase in its 2013 pre-tax profits the specialist small business and mortgage bank, Aldermore, has made two promotions within its property development division.
Simon Knowles, who joined the bank in 2010, has been standing in as the lender’s property team head since last August. That appointment has now been made permanent. Prior to his move to Aldermore — which is owned by private equity group AnaCap — Knowles held various positions in property finance and development at the Davenham Group, the now defunct Manchester-based finance company.
Moving up to take on the position of property development manager is Stuart Williams. Based in Birmingham, and with more than seven years’ experience of the property finance sector, his primary responsibility will be liaising with specialist mortgage and finance brokers and working across the Midlands and South-East of England to provide finance facilities for small to medium-sized developers. Williams joined Aldermore from Bridgebank Capital where he was business development manager.
Aldermore is unique in the bank world in that it has no traditional high street branches preferring, instead, to operate from 11 nationwide offices. Last year its pre-tax profits rose to £22.4m, up from just £1.5m in 2012. Its revenues increased more than three-quarters to £103.8m, while its balance sheet expanded by two-thirds to £4.2bn.
As the demand for warehouse and distribution sites hot ups, Colliers International has recruited two industry and logistics specialists to its Midland’s office. Peter Monks is joining the property consultancy as an associate director after 10 years with BNP Paribas. With experience advising on the acquisition, leasing and disposal of industrial buildings his previous clients have included IM Properties, Goodman UK Logistics, and Gazeley UK.
Also joining Collier’s Birmingham office is former professional rugby player, Sam Robinson. Before starting his property career two years ago with investment specialists Revelan he played for Worcester Warriors and Birmingham and Solihull RFC. While with the developer he focused on the letting and management of assets within its industrial portfolio.
In a separate move Colliers is also increasing the size of its Manchester planning and development team. Miranda Steadman, is joining from agents Atkins, and planning and development surveyor Jonathan Edwards is leaving Rory Mack & Associates, at Newcastle-under-Lyme, to bring the team’s strength up to five.
Increased demand across the South-West has prompted commercial consultancy Knight Frank to expand its Bristol property asset management department. Jo Crofts, already an associate in the office agency, has joined the team which manages industrial, office and retail buildings from Swindon to Taunton.
After eight years at the DTZ’s London office, Tim Shaw is leaving to join Lambert Smith Hampton as an associate. He will be based at its Guildford office with responsibility for the Surrey and North Hampshire area.
Story: Cliff Goodwin
Photo: Neil Bird
