James is now a partner in Colenso, who offer property management and facilities management services to York property investors.
Colenso manages around £200m of commercial property nationally and the expansion comes following increased profitability for the business and after it spotted a gap in the local market for a dedicated commercial agency.
James, who is an expert in the York and wider Yorkshire markets, spent seven years at top five UK consultancy Avison Young before setting up his own private consultancy advising some of the country’s biggest landlords and occupiers.
RECOMMENDED READING:
He joins Colenso’s Head of Estates Charles Harrison and Head of Facilities Management Lucy Glasby as partners in the business.
The commercial agency division will support landlords, developers and occupiers, with expertise primarily across leasing, letting, purchase and sale of retail, leisure, office and industrial property.
James said: “Having known and respected Charles, Lucy and the wider Colenso team for several years, and having seen the ongoing success the business has achieved, the decision to join was an easy one.
“There is a real gap in the commercial agency market in York and we are confident that our best in class approach, dovetailing industry leading knowledge and experience with modern marketing methods, will be a successful formula.
“Since my recent appointment we have won several instructions and closed transactions in York on behalf of several clients.
“We are excited about building on this positive start, and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with my extensive network and ensuring that Colenso continues to have a positive impact on the built environment and economy in York and beyond.”
Charles Harrison added:“James is a first rate, talented and highly experienced commercial property professional and we are absolutely thrilled to have him join Colenso in this next phase of our growth journey. “The ongoing success of our property and asset management and facilities management divisions, allied with a clear market demand, has enabled us to further expand our offering into commercial agency.
“James and our wider team have an unsurpassed depth of knowledge of the York market, and we are already seeing the influence of this. We’re excited about the opportunities this launch brings for all parts of our business to work seamlessly together and we’re confident that our commercial agency will quickly become an intrinsic part of Colenso.”
Operating throughout the UK with notable tenants incuding the likes of Boots, WHSmith, Caffè Nero, Wagamama, Prezzo, Stonegate Group, Halfords, Pets at Home, Defra, UK Government, and Lloyds TSB to name a few. Colenso is particularly active in and around the Yorkshire area.
Its current portfolio includes much of York’s retail offering, large commercial office parks, including Monks Cross North and Clifton Park, as well as sizeable industrial property across the region.
