Colliers International has strengthened its Bristol-based operation in response to a significant increase in activity in the South West commercial property sector.
The Broad Quay-based Development Consulting team has appointed Ben Meynell to help deal with a range of Local Authority, institutional and private company clients.
Ben joins after spending three years with the Retail and Roadside Team at Innes England property consultants in Nottingham. He now deals with predominantly residential development opportunities throughout the South West.
Ben said: “Development has always been an area of property that I have wanted to focus on. With the market starting to pick up I felt it was the right time to move.”
Also joining Chris Dawson’s Development Consulting team is Andrew Frost, originally from Orlando in Florida but now living in Bristol. Andrew is currently completing a property development and planning course at UWE.
The Development Consulting team is currently working on the sale of a 14-acre former school site in Swindon as well as advising clients on viability aspects of re-development on a number of projects across the region.
Team head Chris Dawson said: “The market is now more active and we have seen an upspring in opportunities to pitch for new business.
“We feel that clients require an increasingly holistic approach in delivering property solutions so Ben and Andrew will undoubtedly be working closely with many of the other teams here – such as Planning, Valuation and Office Agency.”
Also joining the Bristol team is Jessica Jones, who will be working as senior surveyor alongside team head Mike Bull in the Investment Property Management team.
The team is currently rolling out an ambitious sustainable energy programme for commercial properties across the company’s UK portfolio.
Mike Bull said: “Although the commercial property sector is clearly emerging from the downturn investors and landlords will be looking to maintain tight control over their energy bills, everyday running costs and their waste management policies.
“Jessica will help us deliver the most effective management programmes making it as easy for our clients and their tenants to be as sustainable and cost effective as possible.”
The IPM team has just signed a ground-breaking framework agreement for the procurement of electricity which means that all power requirements sourced through the framework comes from 100 per cent green energy sources.
Head of office Tim Davies added: “I am pleased to welcome Ben, Jessica and Andrew, all of who have made a positive impact since they started.
“The fact we continue to recruit youth is recognition of the different perspective they can bring to our office. It also reflects Colliers policy of developing surveying talent.”