Robert Smith joins Avison Young lease advisory team in U.K.

Nick Cook, Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of the company’s London and Thames Valley offices, announced today that Robert Smith has joined the firm as a Director of Lease Advisory Services for the U.K.

Smith will join Avison Young’s lease advisory services team in London and will also provide strategic input on expansion into other European office-leasing markets as the company continues to expand its global market presence. Smith was most recently a Director with Copping Joyce and Strutt & Parker.

“We are delighted to welcome Rob, a highly regarded commercial real estate industry player, to our team,” comments Cook. “Ensuring our clients obtain the best advice, followed through by a senior practitioner, is key to our Principal-led strategy.”

Cook continues: “Rob brings a wealth of industry experience to our team, and his expertise in the office and industrial leasing field will be invaluable to Avison Young’s clients in the U.K. Our clients will benefit from Rob’s significant lease negotiation skills – earned on both the landlord and occupier sides. He joins Avison Young during an exciting phase of growth and development in the U.K. and the remainder of the global marketplace.”

Smith brings 20 years of commercial real estate and surveying experience to Avison Young. During his career, Smith has driven numerous high profile re-gearing and rent review negotiations on behalf of occupiers and investment companies, such as Threadneedle, Aviva Investors, Hermes, Standard Life and Fidelity Investments.

At Avison Young, Smith will work alongside Tessa Passey, another highly experienced lease advisor and RICS assessor (based in the London office) who has advised a number of significant companies, including Allied Irish Bank, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Nike, Clinton Cards, Leagas Delaney and HSS Hire.

“I am excited to be continuing my career at Avison Young. The company’s culture of collaboration and entrepreneurial approach will allow me to provide an even higher level of service to my clients,” says Smith. “I’m looking forward to working with Nick, Tessa, the rest of the Avison Young team in the U.K., as well as my new colleagues across Canada and the U.S. as we continue our exciting global expansion programme.”

Avison Young launched its European presence in April 2014 when the firm acquired NAI Haywards and opened new offices in London and Thames Valley, U.K.