Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has appointed David Jones FCA as Finance Director. He succeeds Donald Smith who is retiring from the partnership.

David joins from Colliers International where he was EMEA Finance Director, leading the London- and Prague-based EMEA finance function and sitting on the EMEA Executive leadership team.

At Montagu Evans he is responsible for the partnership’s finance and compliance functions leading a team of 11. He sits on the Board and will be working closely with the firm’s Heads of Department and sector team leads as part of his role.

Rob Bower, Managing Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “David’s track record in the property sector and forward-looking approach makes him the ideal fit for Montagu Evans as our much-valued colleague Donald Smith retires. We are continuing to invest in central services and business systems that will support our Partners and their teams, giving them more time for clients and collaboration.”

David Jones, Finance Director at Montagu Evans, added: “Montagu Evans stands out for its ethos and culture. There is real momentum and energy on the back of the relocation to a new office and the celebration of our centenary year, so for me the opportunity to be part of the next chapter with the partnership was extremely exciting and immediately attractive.”

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has welcomed its first cohort of apprentices who will be undertaking the Chartered Surveying Apprenticeship over the next five years.

• Jamil Saiyed joins as Apprentice Surveyor with the firm’s valuation team.
• Jack Winterton joins as Apprentice Surveyor focussing on rating.
• Ellana Woodley joins as Apprentice Surveyor and will sit with the firm’s development team.

All three are studying for Real Estate BSc Honours (Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship) at Westminster University. They will rotate across the development, valuation and rating workstreams for their first three years, before joining the firm’s graduate rotation for their final two years working towards completing their APC.

The firm has also appointed Stan Tsvetkov to its graphic design team as he studies for Junior Content Producer L3 Standard with Creative Alliance.

Montagu Evans worked with My Kinda Future to make sure the new programme created opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds in communities that the firm works in and serves. The firm held a virtual insight day in April and a virtual assessment centre in July as part of its selection process.

Rob Bower, Managing Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “As a partnership we care about developing our team to be experts in their fields and about succession planning over a sustainable period of time. Building talent through a programme like this creates opportunities for more people to get involved in property and will bring a new dimension, new ideas and innovation to our business, which we value.

“We’re proud to be supporting these very promising new team members in the first year of our programme and will be developing a scalable process to recruit and support future apprenticeship talent in the years ahead. Apprenticeships, internships, graduate programmes and creating other routes into the firm for people of all backgrounds and at all levels is an important part of our business planning.”

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has welcomed its largest graduate intake to date in the partnership’s centenary year.

19 people join the firm this month working across all the business’s key areas, including planning, historic environment and townscape, development, valuation, rating, management and commercial advisory. They will also become part of the firm’s sector-based teams where experts from different disciplines come together to provide specialist advice for a wide range of clients.

The new graduate recruits are: Sophie Alcock, Gus Clode, Rebecca Craig, Alex Davies, Nicholas Dudzinski, Bethan Gwynne, Ellie Hagart, Louise Hannah, Amran Nagra, Leyla Ongun, Alex Partridge, Coco Pemberton, Shonagh Ramsay, Anna Roper, Charlie Scoular, Laura Snell, Vivienne Speirs, Findlay Stiven and Nick Summersgill.

Victoria Thompson, HR Director at Montagu Evans, said: “This is the first graduate intake at our new offices and we’re delighted to welcome everyone to the team. As well as being the largest intake so far, and the largest cohort of women for the second year running, it brings together people from a wider range of universities than ever before, many with first degrees in non-real estate subjects. Our increasing numbers and their breadth of experience reflects our continuing commitment to the next generation of talent, something we will continue to push in the months ahead.”

We Rise In and HYBR, two start-ups focused on diversity in real estate and support for first-time renters, have been named as winners of The ME100 Awards, part of planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans’ centenary celebrations running throughout 2021.

The initiative launched earlier this year to invest in two budding property sector entrepreneurs, giving them the partnership’s sponsorship and support for one year as they build their ideas and develop their business.

London-based We Rise In’s mission is to: ‘inspire, elevate, and develop the careers of black professionals whilst promoting inclusion, equality, and diversity in the real estate industry’. It works with individuals to hone the tools and skillsets they need to achieve positions of seniority in their career, and with companies to inform and educate – including career support, mentoring and leadership programmes for black employees.

Faith Locken, Founder of We Rise In said: “I am honestly so glad I applied for the ME100 Awards. The process was clear and easy to follow, and I felt informed and supported at every stage. Those who interviewed me were genuinely interested in hearing about my business which allowed me to relax and focus on presenting and answering questions. It’s great to know that one of the leading firms in the real estate industry believes in and wholly supports the We Rise In’s vision.”

HYBR, launched in Bristol, is a student accommodation platform that supports first-time renters offering a more personalised and tailored service than typical rental platforms while maintaining a competitive price point for landlords.

Hannah Chappatte, Chief Executive Officer of HYBR, said: “We’re at such a crucial and exciting part of our journey at HYBR and it’s so important to get backing, mentorship and funding from an organisation like Montagu Evans to future-proof the business. Together we’re going to transform the student accommodation landscape for the better.”

Each start-up is now set to receive initial financial funding of £10,000 as well as mentoring with the firm’s industry experts and core business functions (Finance, BD & Marketing and HR) and access to industry meetings, events and the firm’s business network. They are also set to have access to Montagu Evans’ new HQ in the City of London and its resources.

Adrian Owen, Partner at Montagu Evans, who sat on the Judging Panel along with five others from across the business, said: “These are two strong start-ups, with huge potential to transform the property sector in very different and positive ways. Their people were engaging, credible and passionate about what they do, and their specialist areas align closely to our business meaning we can add value beyond financial support.

“Above all, their focus on inclusion, diversity and financial accessibility has never been more important and we’re pleased to be able to support them in scaling up to the next level, particularly as a focus of our centenary celebrations is legacy and how the next generation can build their own.”

Illuminated River has won the category for Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

Illuminated River is a long-term art installation transforming the Thames at night with an orchestrated series of light works that span nine bridges in central London.  Designed and programmed by internationally renowned New York-based artist Leo Villareal, working with British project architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, the artwork respects the natural environment and local inhabitants, creating a sensitive and site-specific interplay with the river. Once complete, at 3.2 miles in length, Illuminated River will be the longest public artwork in the world.

The judges said: “Illuminated River is a large-scale project which has demonstrated a constructive approach to cross-boundary working and utilised a high degree of collaboration involved to enable the creation of such a large and significant public art installation. The planning tools used, the EIA and the considerable stakeholder engagement from a planning perspectives sets it above all the other entries. The benefits to the community are clear, the economic value created and the sustainability credentials all make this entry worthy of winning. The judges also noted that the degree of innovation, including new ways of understanding the urban heritage and the interactive Environmental Statement, are of national (and perhaps international) importance.”

Illuminated River Foundation said: “The project is the result of one of the most detailed and extensive pan-London planning processes the capital has ever seen (without an Act of Parliament), with 30 planning permissions and 18 listed building consents granted. It has been developed in consultation and collaboration with over 50 organisations on and around the river and is supported by the Mayor of London. In the midst of the pandemic, the calming subtlety of this open-air artwork takes on an even greater significance; an encouragement to Londoners and visitors alike to take a pause in their stressful lives and reflect on the beauty of the city and its bridges.”

Montagu Evans Planning Partner, Jon Bradburn said: “We are so pleased that The Illuminated River project has won the Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture at this years’ RTPI Awards. It is an excellent example of collaborative working across a number of boroughs to celebrate these iconic bridges and their role in the urban environment. The team has worked hard to deliver a truly public-facing project running through the heart of London which is now the longest public art commission in the world. It has been a pleasure to be able to provide planning support to the Illuminated River Foundation on the delivery of this iconic scheme.”

The RTPI champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. It is the only body in the UK that confers Chartered status to planners, the highest professional qualification sought after by employers. It supports its members – over 26,000 worldwide – throughout their careers

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has announced its 2021 promotions.

Five associates have been promoted to the role of Partner:

• Eleanor Cook (Development & Valuation Consultancy) – who specialises in valuation and consultancy on complex jobs with valuation at their core focussed on the public and third sector. She is deputy head of the firm’s healthcare group.
• Gareth Fox (Planning) – specialises complex regeneration schemes in inner London and the South East. He is deputy head of the firm’s Central London group.
• Anna Russell-Smith (Planning) – works with public and private sector clients across London and the South East specialising in healthcare and housing delivery.
• Paul Surgeon (Rating) – is the northern lead for the dedicated landlord and developer team and specialises in providing strategic business rates advice to large landlord clients in both the public and private sector.
• David Taylor (Historic Environment & Townscape) – specialist in strategic planning and design matters in relation to development in the historic environment or with sensitive receptors.

In addition, Rosie Adamson (Planning), Jonny Goldstone (CAA), Rachel Lambert (DVCR), Harry Wackett (DVCR), Annie Wilkins (DVCR) and Gregor Wilson (DVCR) have all been promoted to Associate.

Matt Boyd, Harry Charman, Evan Corcoran, Joanna Hayward-Cook, Max King, Hugh Mitchell and Hannah Williams, all from the firm’s DVCR team, have been promoted to Senior Surveyor. Alex Rowley in its Planning team has been promoted to Senior Heritage Adviser.

Rob Bower, Montagu Evans’ Managing Partner, said: “This is our largest cohort of Partner promotions for some time and reflects our commitment, even during challenging circumstances, to investing in the next generation and their professional development. Their skillsets also mean we can offer clients more specialist services within our sector groups as we help to unlock planning and development opportunities nationally.

“It’s really important to our Partnership that people can follow their own career paths here, so  we have focused in the past few years on strengthening career progression alongside other initiatives, making it more transparent and supportive, and offering training in key areas.

“So while we are continuing to recruit senior lateral hires – and are very pleased to announce four new names in the last six months – internal promotions are a particular source of pride and I’m looking forward to seeing what these talented people do next.”

Alongside these promotions, Victoria Boateng and Ben Monks have joined the firm’s rating team and Guy Bransby has taken on the newly-created role of Head of Central London Planning. Neil Worrall joins as Montagu Evans’ new Head of Property Management in May.

Releasing its latest report and accounts, planning and development focused consultancy Montagu Evans reports turnover growth and continuing investment in its people as it begins its centenary year.

In accounts published this week by Companies House for the financial year ending 31 March 2020, the partnership sets out:

• Turnover of £50.4 million compared to £49 million the previous year.
• Continuing staff investment costs at approx. £1.5 million (however, the way staff costs are structured and reported has changed – see end note[i])
• LLP profit of £18.1 million, compared to £19.5 million last year.
• Net assets standing at £14.2m, up from £13.6m, with strong positive cash generation. No bank debt.

Rob Bower, Managing Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “Weathering last year’s storm has involved a tremendous effort from the whole team. Their commitment to our clients and the business, under challenging conditions, is testament to the way our partnership has evolved over the last five years.

“As the partnership turns 100, Montagu Evans is moving into a stronger position – building on major wins as well as maintaining strong relationships with longstanding clients. These financial results reflect both our strategic goals and the scale of investment we are making in our business for the long-term, with significant support for senior lateral hires, promotions, graduate recruitment, and learning and development all continuing.

“Looking at this financial year, the business is holding up very well and is ahead of budget to end December with strong cash generation. We anticipate the Covid-related market and economic impact to affect fees and profits to a small degree, although furlough funding taken in the first lockdown has been entirely repaid. We are focussed on supporting our existing client base – whether that is creating extra resilience or exploiting new opportunities in rapidly shifting markets.

“We’re looking out for our people too, investing in IT and training to make sure agile working is efficient and sustainable. Improving diversity and inclusion remains a priority. We have just launched our Women’s Leadership programme and an apprenticeship scheme over the course of the year to bring more people into the business and support those who are already embedded in our teams. Our new ME100 programme for this year means we will also be supporting young entrepreneurs and the next generation of talent. 

“Underpinning everything is our sector-led approach, bringing together expert teams from across the firm to meet clients’ needs. Private/public partnerships will support economic recovery and are an important part of our strategy. Retail and town centres remain key – partly due to the disruption they face – along with housing and healthcare. London, no doubt, will be the first to stabilise and we’re pleased, officially at least, to have taken occupation at our new head offices in the heart of the City as our centenary year begins.”

[1] Montagu Evans Partners have three bands: Equity Partners, Participating Partners and Salaried Partners. In the financial year 2019/2020 Salaried Partners moved from being classified as Members to being classified as Employees to better reflect their basis of remuneration. The figures associated with their salaries moved sections within the report and accounts, affecting headline salary numbers, members’ remuneration charged as an expense and year-on-year comparisons in these areas.

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans is this week launching The ME100 Awards – a programme that will invest in two budding property sector entrepreneurs, giving them the partnership’s sponsorship and support for one financial year as they build their ideas and develop their business. The initiative is one of the first elements of the firm’s centenary celebrations that will be running throughout 2021.

The ME100 Awards will include initial financial funding up to a value of £10,000 as well as mentoring with the firm’s industry experts and core business functions (Finance, BD & Marketing, HR and IT) and access to industry meetings, events and the firm’s business network. Covid-permitting, the chosen entrepreneurs will also have access to Montagu Evans’ new HQ in the City of London and its resources.

The programme’s selection panel are looking for new, innovative ideas and approaches from across the industry – which could range from creating new opportunities with technology to addressing the industry’s diversity and inclusion challenges in a new and engaging way.

Rob Bower, Managing Partner of Montagu Evans, said: “Reaching our centenary is a huge milestone but there’s still more we can do to create partnerships for good and a meaningful legacy for people and places.

“We should all be supporting younger talent more and it’s something we firmly believe at Montagu Evans. The last year has been challenging, and those with the potential to transform our sector have seen pathways unexpectedly closed off. Good support in the early days of a business can make an enormous difference to long-term success, so as well as providing financial backing we realised that with around 100 Partners we can offer experience, sector knowledge, contacts and mentoring skills meaning more holistic support and the chance to make a real difference. I expect that we will learn a huge amount too.

“We’re partnering with Young Entrepreneurs in Property, but we want to look even wider for applications too. The process is easy and the result could be life-changing.”

Anyone interested in finding out more and applying should visit here or email ME100@montagu-evans.co.uk for more resources and details of how to apply. The closing date is 8 March 2021.