UK property consultancy Montagu Evans has unveiled a new partner while announcing major investment, growth and recruitment plans.
Occupier advisory specialist for the industrial and logistics sector, Kieran Webber, has joined the partnership to lead the industrial and logistics occupier advisory side of the business, with further investment from the firm to grow its team and increase its service offering to occupier clients.
Previously a director in JLL’s UK I&L team, Webber provides tenant representative advice and operates across the UK with local/regional, national and international clients. He previously set up and headed the acquisitions and occupier services team at Page Hardy Harris.
At Montagu Evans, he becomes part of the now 30-strong industrial and logistics team and will focus on working with occupiers on acquisitions of existing buildings, build to suit opportunities and land.
Webber will also provide occupier clients with strategic advice on their property portfolios to include disposals, consolidation projects, UK-wide expansion roll outs, implementing new property strategies following mergers & acquisitions, and identifying opportunities to raise capital.
The firm advises major landlords, funders, developers and occupiers, providing a range of services including capital markets, agency, development and lease advisory as well as planning, heritage and townscape, valuation and rating. It is active across the country, with a particular focus on London and the M25 including last mile, multi-let industrial, mid-box, trade counters, self-storage and data centres.
Tom Paton-Smith, partner and head of Montagu Evans’ Industrial team, said: 'We expect continued growth in the I&L sector, not just because it remains an attractive asset class worldwide but because the challenges the UK and specifically London is facing are directly supported by our skillsets.
'Our team has developed to become a major force in the London industrial market, and now is the right time to grow. We want to make the most of the many opportunities ahead as the markets improve.
'Kieran is the first of a number of appointments Montagu Evans expects to make across in the months ahead, with more joiners, as well as internal promotions, to follow at all levels of the partnership.
'With new financial investment thanks to recent capital raising for growth, we see additional opportunity in resi/living markets, London planning and public sector advisory, in addition to industrial & logistics. The business is in a strong and exciting position going into 2025.'
Said Webber: 'Occupier sentiment remains resilient but driving efficiency is paramount, both from a financial and environmental perspective.
'The use of automation is expanding, as are environmental efficiency requirements, resulting in a focus on best in class/new assets with great ESG credentials and power connectivity, enabling occupiers to secure future-proofed properties.
'I’m looking forward to being part of a collaborative team providing enhanced advice underpinned by strategic thinking, to support our clients in making the most of these opportunities.'
