Montagu Evans strengthens business rates team ahead of 2026 revaluation

Montagu Evans has appointed senior business rates specialist Myles O’Brien as a Partner in its Rating Advisory team, further strengthening its capability for occupiers leading up to the 2026 revaluation.

Currently President of the Rating Surveyors’ Association, O’Brien joins from WSP GL Hearn, where he was Head of London (Business Rates) & Valuer Operations, leading a 30-strong team across the retail, industrial, office and leisure sectors. With over 25 years of experience in business rates strategy across complex portfolios, his experience also extends across a number of specialist areas including leisure, the media and film studios.

At Montagu Evans, O’Brien will head up the occupier sub-team, focusing on bulk and specialist instructions across both private and public sectors and offering rating appeal, mitigation and consultancy advice to clients who incur rate liabilities as an operational expense. Working with Partners Richard Wackett and Ian Clark, he has a mandate to build on occupier growth, particularly in London as part of Montagu Evans’ enhanced multi-service offer to clients across the capital. The hire aligns with the partnership’s plans to expand its Rating Advisory services nationally and follows the appointment of Julie Chalmers as Partner in Manchester earlier this year. Ben Monk leads the national Rating Advisory landlord sub-team.

Josh Myerson, Head of Advisory at Montagu Evans and head of its Rating Advisory team, said: “Appointing Myles is part of our continued investment in high-calibre talent and wider strategy to provide market-leading insight and support across advisory disciplines, with a focus on helping clients anticipate and act on the property-related risks and opportunities ahead.

“Business rates are a significant occupational issue, particularly leading into the 2026 revaluation. We are now in an even stronger position to support our clients in understanding and managing that cost: Myles’ occupier experience and strategic thinking will be a great asset as he comes in to lead this area of our business.”

Myles O’Brien, Partner at Montagu Evans, added: “This is an exciting time. Montagu Evans’ focus on specialist support for clients, its partnership structure, and opportunities for progression are incredibly appealing. I’m also drawn to the firm’s ambition to grow its private sector relationships, complementing its established strength in the public sector. I look forward to working with an already highly respected, industry-recognised team to lead and expand our occupier-focused instructions – deepening relationships with existing clients and opening the door to new opportunities.”

Myles is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Leisure Property Forum (LPF) and Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV). He is an elected committee member of the Rating Surveyors’ Association and, since April 2025, has been its President.

Montagu Evans’ handbook for businesses on the 2026 revaluation released this week – and what they should be doing now to prepare for the 1 April – can be viewed and downloaded here.