Colmore Business District

Three New Directors Join Colmore Business District Board

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Ben Gulliford, regional centre head for Barclays Wealth in Birmingham, Richard Thomas, director of project management and engineering consultancy, Royal Haskoning, and Chief Superintendent Clive Burgess of West Midlands Police have joined 16 other directors in the CBD Board.

Ben, who leads Barclays Wealth’s Birmingham office of 100 people based in CBD, said: “I am looking forward to joining the CBD Board, which has both credibility and vision, and bringing my enthusiasm and passion to hopefully help make a difference. There is a collective spirit within the District that I am sure can be further harnessed for the greater good of the area.”

Richard has 22 years’ experience of transport planning and civil engineering and is currently leading commissions for Royal Haskoning in the retail, energy and industrial sectors. Commenting on the appointment to the CBD Board, he said, “I believe I can contribute significantly to Birmingham's Vision for Movement, a city centre wide transport strategy, as well as help facilitate a more accessible and sustainable business district. I am looking forward to working with the team of people that are committed to driving the District forward.”

Chief Superintendent Clive Burgess is the recently appointed police commander for the Birmingham West and Central Police area. He added: “It is clear what a positive impact the CBD board has had on the ongoing improvements across the business district. I hope to bring my experience and expertise to the board to ensure that the projects being developed have community safety at their core.”

Knight Frank takes new offices

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The move follows the agreement of a deal by the agents with Waitrose to open its first city centre store on the ground floor of the building, and prompting Knight Frank to expand its existing offices on the first floor and relocate its reception and meetings into adjacent space.

Ashley Hudson, head of the Birmingham office, said: “This move comes at the end of a busy and successful 12 months for our team. Corporately, we have had our most profitable year since 2008 and while several new faces have joined our team already, we are continuing to recruit and are looking to make high-level strategic appointments in the immediate future.

“On the commercial side of the business we are working with some of the most proactive and exciting clients in the market, while doing this deal with Waitrose and building owners Ballymore couldn’t have come at a better time for us as a business. It’s meant that we have been able to refresh our office environment to make it work better and more efficiently for us, as well as bring all of our teams together into one space to improve internal communication.”

The fit-out has been completed by Knight Frank’s own building consultancy team and includes WiFi break-out areas. Waitrose will be starting onsite to fit-out the space with its new “Little Store” concept which is intended to open later this Spring.

Mark Evans, partner in residential development, said: “The residential arm of our business has long been the “go-to” estate agency for the full spectrum of properties across the Midlands, and while the market continues with steady levels of activity, we continue to specialise, and lead the market, in city centre living. Our door is always open to property hunters and vendors.”

Photo: Ashley Hudson, head of Knight Frank's Birmingham office

Tenant led property recovery predicted for 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Angus joins from Stoford Developments where he undertook a postgraduate placement role and he will work alongside John Griffiths, Ben Thacker and Richard Fletcher-Brewer.

John Griffiths who heads the Agency team is upbeat about the year ahead:

“Angus’ appointment gives a clear signal of our intent to remain in the top spot as leading office agents in Birmingham. Tough market conditions call for creative property solutions - we have consistently demonstrated our flair for completing deals and delivering solutions which work for clients and occupiers. In these challenging times, we feel that continued investment in the strength and depth of our team is an absolute pre-requisite for sustained success. Having worked with Stoford Developments, Angus comes with a good understanding of the property market from a development standpoint. ”

Angus was awarded a first class honours degree in the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) accredited Business and Property course from the University of the West of England. Angus said:

“What really appeals about joining GBR Phoenix Beard is the opportunity to have a hands-on role and the ability I will have to make a real difference. The agency’s reputation in the Midlands property market is first class, and I have been impressed by the entrepreneurial business culture within the team.”

GBR Phoenix Beard is predicting strong demand for prime office space over the coming 12 months. The team bucked letting trends in 2011, topping the Birmingham office agency league tables (Source: Estates Gazette Birmingham Office Agency league tables 2011) for letting the most space in the 12 months to 30 September 2011, transacted within the highest number of deals. This equated to disposals of 236,648 sq ft accounted for by 36 deals.

The Agency was involved in a number of flagship office deals in 2011 including The Solicitors Regulation Authority and The Law Society (57,000 sq ft space at The Cube), 30,000 sq ft of office space at Norfolk House to Network Rail, and 25,000 sq ft at Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) to Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust. January 2012 got off to an equally strong start with the news that GBR Phoenix Beard’s Office Agency team had been successful in a three-way tender to act for Aviva’s Life Fund at its Great Charles Street Estate.

Photo: Angus Huntley

Landmark city centre office building undergoes £2m refurb

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Located on the corner of Church Street and Cornwall Street in Colmore Business District, Embassy House was constructed in 1899 by architects Owen & Ward.

The refurbishment included major works to the reception and communal areas and an upgrade of all vacant office accommodation to include comfort cooling, perimeter and floor trunking and new LG7 compliant lighting.

The original period facade of the building has been retained.

DTZ and Jones LangLaSalle are joint letting agents on the building on behalf of the landlord, AXA Real Estate Investment Managers.

Matt Long of DTZ commented: “With the well documented shortage of grade A office space in Birmingham city centre and speculative development still some way off, Embassy House is now able to offer high quality accommodation with an unrivalled location in the heart of Birmingham’s financial and professional service quarter.”

Refurbished suites are available from 1,235 to 8,784 sq ft.

Leading Midlands Company Law Barrister joins St Philips Chambers

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Dominic joins the Birmingham based set in Colmore Business District from one of the UK’s leading law firms, Wragge & Co LLP, where he was a corporate and litigation partner.

Dominic specialises in all aspects of company law, financial engineering and commercial disputes. He is widely acknowledged as being an expert in such matters attracting clients such as major UK and international corporates; leading UK and overseas law and accountancy firms.

In 2009 these skills were recognised by The Financial Times when they awarded Dominic their Innovative Lawyers Award for the creation of the concept of a contractual profit reserve.

Dominic commented "I am very honoured to have been invited to join St Philips which is recognised nationally as a leading set of chambers for company and commercial work. It will be a privilege working alongside my new colleagues in delivering specialist legal expertise on transactional and contentious company law and commercial matters."

Dominic also has a leading practice in shareholder and corporate governance disputes, including director defence work, and has been appointed to advise on various internal and governmental corporate investigations.

Kevin Hegarty QC, head of St Philips Chambers, said: “Dominic’s arrival is a key appointment for our Chambers, he brings with him a unique area of expertise which perfectly complements our existing commercial and chancery offering and increases our civil practice group to 63 Barristers.”

Photo: Dominic Roberts - Company Law Barrister at St Philips Chambers

Business support for deaf-lead businesses and deaf entrepreneurs

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Owner, Shezad Nawab, has a business coaching background and is encouraging deaf-lead businesses and deaf entrepreneurs to contact his company if they are seeking help with the growth and development of their business. Professional services provided include business advice, management consultancy, commission, financial markets, entrepreneurship, innovation ideas, retail and real estate.

For more information on please visit www.deafbusinesservices.com.

GBR Phoenix Beard Bags Bargain Pages at Cavendish House

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Bargain Pages was acquired from the Daily Mail by Loot in 2010, with Loot widely acknowledged as the pioneering on-line and printed classified operator in the UK.

Bargain Pages has taken 2,416 sq ft of space in the Waterloo Street period office development whose other tenants include Midven, Robson Associates LLP and Extra Personnel. The new office location will be the base for a team of around 15 staff and Bargain Pages has signed a 10 year lease with a 5-year break option. The deal was brokered by joint agents GBR Phoenix Beard and Jones Lang LaSalle on behalf of Aberdeen Asset Management.
Bargain Page’s Robert Feld explained the rationale for moving from an out-of-town location to Birmingham city centre:

“Local profile is important in an operation such as ours, and we were looking for a location which could be easily accessed by our customers be they on-line or readers of the classified newspaper ‘Bargain Pages.’ In Cavendish House we have found an attractive office location which we are confident, because of its footfall, will draw in a loyal customer base as well as passers-by who may not be quite so familiar with our brand. Our MD has ambitious plans, and this new base will be an important part of our growth strategy.”

Richard Fletcher-Brewer from property consultant GBR Phoenix Beard said the seven-storey Cavendish House, which is fund managed by Aberdeen Asset Management, has been refurbished to a high standard:

“The Landlord has invested heavily in a comprehensive refurbishment of Cavendish House including all of the available office suites and common areas which has resulted in strong interest from perspective occupiers. Bargain Pages were looking for a strategically central location, and a modern office environment – Cavendish House scores very highly on both of these.”

Sean Reid is the latest new recruit at GBR Phoenix Beard

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Sean is well known in the Midlands property market for his Landlord and Tenant experience – he joins following over 3 years as a director in Lambert Smith Hampton’s Lease Advisory team and before that spent 7 years in a similar role with Jones Lang LaSalle.

Sean has been involved in many of the region’s high profile property schemes including rent reviews and lease renewals at Brindleyplace, Interchange Place, Fountain Court and Birmingham Business Park in the office market. He is advising on a number of retail schemes around the New Street area which will experience a boost from the redevelopment of the railway station and the announcement that John Lewis is to open a flagship store adjacent to the station in 2014. Within the industrial market he has advised on schemes such as Richardson Parkway, Holford Industrial Estate and Castle Bromwich. Sean is on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) arbitration and independent expert panel.

Speaking about his new role, Sean Reid said:
“GBR Phoenix Beard is a highly respected and ambitious name in the regional property sector. There is real scope to grow this part of the business, building on the strong reputation in providing asset management and lease consultancy services, as well as capitalising on GBR Phoenix Beard’s extensive agency contact base. ”

Victoria Burgin heads up GBR Phoenix Beard’s Lease Consultancy and Valuation team. Speaking about Sean’s appointment, Victoria said:
“Sean brings additional capacity at a time when we have seen a steady increase in the number of third party arbitration and expert witness appointments, as well as instructions from banks looking to value their clients’ property portfolios. Sean’s expertise across the office, retail and industrial property markets will significantly enhance the services we can offer our clients.”

Photo: GBR Phoenix Beard's Lease Consultancy & Valuation team - (L to r) Simon Farrant, Sean Reid, Victoria Burgin.

Trio of National Awards for Grant Thornton

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Eric Williams, head of Tax in Birmingham and the firm’s national head of Private Client, has been named as one of the industry’s 50 most influential individuals by Private Client Practitioner. This top award is made following an open call for nominations of private client practitioners in both the UK and offshore who have had a real impact on their profession and is adjudicated by an independent judging panel. Eric is the only Birmingham-based individual on the list, and one of only 11 accountants amongst lawyers and trustee professionals.

Amy Collins, senior tax manager, is the only Birmingham-based individual included in this year’s national ‘Top 35 under 35’ list of rising stars of talented young practitioners by Private Client Practitioner and is the youngest profiled at just 27.

Tax partner Dan Hartland has been named one of Tax Journal’s ‘Top 40 under 40’, highlighting the best young professionals working in tax today. Dan is the only Birmingham-based professional and one of just 15 accountants named in the list; the others being solicitors, barristers or trustee service providers. Both Amy and Dan’s awards are evaluated by independent researchers in addition to client and colleague submissions.

Dave Munton, office managing partner, said: “These awards, which range across our whole Entrepreneur and Private Client team, are a clear testament to the quality and reputation of the Grant Thornton Birmingham team. Our Entrepreneur and Private Client business works for a large part of the firm’s client base and I am proud to have such a key team recognised nationally and for our three award winners to be the only Birmingham representatives in these awards. Grant Thornton’s ethos is to attract and nurture the very best talent who can make a real difference to their clients’ businesses and personal wealth goals. These independently judged accolades endorse that ethos and everyone in Birmingham congratulates our winners on their success.”

Photo: Grant Thornton Birmingham Award Winners, left to right: Dan Hartland, tax partner; Amy Collins, senior tax manager; Eric Williams, head of Tax in Birmingham and the firm’s national head of Private Client.

Birmingham named in top 20 of the world's places to visit

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The global recognition comes after Olive food magazine heaped praise on the city's Food Fest in October which brought together local talented chefs such as Michelin-starred Glynn Purnell of Purnells, Aktar Islam of Lasan Restaurant and David Colcombe of Opus.

Article from Birmingham Post.

Click here to read the piece in the New York Times.