New Birmingham HQ for property charity LionHeart

A charity that provides support for property professionals and their families through hard times has moved into new offices in Birmingham, commercial property consultancy Johnson Fellows has announced.

LionHeart – the independent charity for Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) professionals – has signed a six-year lease on a 2,200 sq ft sixth floor office suite at One Cornwall Street, in the heart of the city’s Colmore Business District.

Mark Fitzpatrick, agency partner at Birmingham-based Johnson Fellows, acted on behalf of Lionheart. He said: “Lionheart is a fantastic organisation which delivers vital support for thousands of property professionals who may be facing a whole range of difficult situations and who might need a little support to help them cope.

“Many of my colleagues and friends are RICS members and it is therefore very pleasing to have been able to play a part in relocating the charity to a wonderful new headquarters right in the very heart of Birmingham’s busy business district.”

Peter McCrea FRICS, chair of the LionHeart board, said: “We were delighted to secure excellent accommodation in the heart of Birmingham, providing a central base from which the LionHeart team will continue to support the surveying family during these troubled times. Normally, LionHeart is all about providing support to RICS professionals and it is not very often we need to call on the professional expertise of a surveyor ourselves! Our thanks go to Mark and our lawyer, Ellen Rutter at Wilsons, for their efficient help and guidance throughout the process.”

Set in Birmingham’s thriving Colmore Business District, One Cornwall Street features a bright and modern reception and benefits from an outstanding business location, conveniently positioned just a stone’s throw away from Snow Hill station and close to a host of bars and restaurants.

The building has been recently renovated and provides Grade A office space with open-plan, efficient floorplates and glazing across all elevations. It has a new VRV air conditioning system, refurbished male, female and disabled WC facilities on every floor, quality shower facilities and is fully DDA compliant.

Lionheart, which next year celebrates its 125th anniversary, aims to be there for members whenever life throws them a curve ball, from the very beginning of their career as an APC candidate or apprentice, right through to retirement. It provides confidential and expert support to get people through life’s unexpected challenges.

This might range from financial support if needed, support for health and wellbeing, such as free professional counselling, work-related support and coaching, plus access to legal advice. It can also help if family members become seriously ill or suffer an accident.

Support extends to past and present RICS members, and their partners and dependents, including APC candidates, apprentices, some surveying students, as well as those surveyors who have retired or are no longer practising.

Johnson Fellows, established in 1984, is based in Birmingham with offices also in London and Manchester. The practice acts for a wide variety of clients including retailers, investors, developers, financiers and occupiers of commercial property. Services include agency, lease advisory, property management , building surveying and valuation. In particular, the firm advises many of the UK’s leading national multiple retailers on a nationwide basis.