Avison Young expands professional team

Chris Severs, Avison Young.

Chris Severs has joined the Manchester office of international commercial real estate firm Avison Young, as Associate Director in the Professional team. Chris will be advising landlords and occupiers on all matters relating to business rates, leases and rent reviews.

His appointment sees the Professional team, which is led by principal Gareth Buckley, now total 11 members and follows further recent hires in the Manchester office.

Since qualifying in 2004 Chris has worked nationally and across the north west, advising clients in relation to the provision of rating valuations and appeals, empty rate mitigation strategies and advice to secure business rates relief, across the office, industrial, retail and leisure sectors. He also specialises in lease consultancy matters including rent reviews, lease renewals and re-gear negotiations across the office and industrial sectors across the north west of England.

The Professional team has developed a national reputation for challenging rating assessments, the payment of rates and the payment of empty rates. They work with property owners and occupiers nationwide including fashion giant misguided, logistics specialists Culina, Makro Self-Service Wholesalers and Buzz Bingo.

Commenting on the growth of the Professional team and Chris’s arrival, principal Gareth Buckley said: “Chris joins us at a very exciting time for the business. We have recruited in a number of senior positions this autumn as we continue to bring the best talent into the team to support our ambitious growth plans. I am delighted to welcome Chris into the Professional team where his expert knowledge will be invaluable to our growing client base.”