Montagu Evans is proud to announce that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved our net-zero targets validated under the SBTi Corporate Net Zero Criteria Standard. This marks a significant step in our ongoing commitment to climate action and reduce the environmental impacts of our business activities.

SBTi provides the only framework for corporates to set verifiable net-zero targets in line with climate science. This approval aligns us with the ambitious goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, in accordance with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C.

Our targets include:

Near-term science-based targets

• Reducing our absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions 42% by 2030 from a FY 2024 base year.
• Reducing our absolute scope 3 emissions 25% within the same timeframe.

Long-term science-based targets (net zero targets)

• Reducing our absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions 90% by 2050 from the 2023/24 base year.
• Reducing our absolute scope 3 emissions 90% within the same timeframe.

Next steps

By joining the growing number of companies with SBTi-approved targets, Montagu Evans is positioning its business strategy with global efforts to decarbonise the economy. Furthermore, it also demonstrates Montagu Evans’s climate leadership.

Montage Evans will publish its annual footprint, actions taken and progress towards meeting its net zero science-based targets with its annual Corporate Responsibility Report. This demonstrates our net zero commitment and encourages our stakeholders to kick-start their decarbonisation, which is crucial for limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

We have developed and published a carbon reduction plan showcasing our actions to achieve net zero emissions. Now that our science-based targets are validated, we will be updating and revising the plan to align with these targets by the end of this year.

 

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.

Montagu Evans has appointed Jonathan Stevenson as Partner to lead its Residential Capital Markets team, as the firm continues to expand its integrated Residential:Connected offer.

Previously Head of BTR and funding at Knight Frank, Stevenson brings a wealth of experience advising clients, such as CBRE IM, on its first BTR acquisition in Manchester and working on projects across the UK, including the largest BTR scheme, The Octagon in Birmingham. At Montagu Evans, he will focus on leading and growing investment, development, and funding advice across Build-to-Rent, PBSA assets, and emerging Co-Living and Later Living sectors.

Stevenson will work alongside the firm’s 80+ specialists to support clients at every stage of the development lifecycle, drawing on Montagu Evans’ expertise.

This appointment forms part of a wider growth strategy under the new Managing Partner, Alan Harris, supported by a multi-million-pound capital investment in 2024 to strengthen high-growth areas, including Residential, Central London, Industrial & Logistics, and Public Sector.

Adrian Owen, Partner and head of Residential at Montagu Evans, said: “Our strengthened residential offer, now in place, with 80+ experts, is a genuine, firm-wide, integrated service centred on planning, development, consultancy and transactional expertise, and with a sharp focus on addressing our clients’ challenges and needs.

“Jonny’s appointment strengthens our Living Capital markets capability and will play a key role in helping clients unlock value and deliver across an increasingly active sector.”

Jonathan Stevenson, Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “This is an exciting and unique opportunity to build a differentiated Residential Capital Markets team within a firm that combines deep planning expertise, a strong development track record, and a genuinely collaborative culture.”

Montagu Evans has appointed Catharine Kidd as a Partner in its Historic Environment and Townscape (HEaT) team, based at the partnership’s Edinburgh office and strengthening its planning and heritage offer to support further growth across Scotland and the north of England.

Catharine joins from Turley, where she spent eight years as Director of Heritage and Townscape, leading the successful development of its Heritage and Townscape service in Scotland and expanding its cross-office capabilities across Edinburgh, London, and Manchester. She brings significant expertise across UK regional markets, with a particular focus on heritage, townscape and visual impact assessments (TVIA), as well as experience in EIA and team development.

At Montagu Evans, she will play a key role in growing the partnership’s presence in Scotland and the north of England and enhancing the firm’s planning and heritage capabilities across the country. Her specialist skillset, cross-service approach and market knowledge align with the firm’s ambitions to expand its Scottish operations and further strengthen its planning capability for existing national and local client bases.

Craig Wallace, Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “There is a growing market for heritage and townscape services in Scotland, as well as the north of England and Northern Ireland, particularly when complemented with townscape and visual impact advice to inform development design and planning strategy. Catharine is a pioneer and market leader in this specialist area, with longstanding expertise and a collaborative approach that makes her an important strategic hire for our planning team in Scotland and the wider business.

“She joins a number of new recruits joining our expanding planning team in Scotland, including Katherine Innes as Senior Planner, Matt Short as Planner and Frank Trimble as Graduate. In London, we have also recently welcomed historic environment expert Emma Lawrence.”

Catharine Kidd, Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “Joining Montagu Evans at this time is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a growing team with the ability to provide a wide range of planning skills to support clients – including on new development, strategic advice on historic town and city-centre renewal, the adaptation and re-use of historic and listed buildings, masterplanning, and regeneration of complex sites and sensitive land.

“Managing change of sensitive areas effectively needs in-depth expertise of heritage assets and/or urban contexts, combined with development knowledge of building and land uses, legislation, the planning system and development contexts, and a collaborative approach to working with design teams and stakeholders. I’m looking forward to working with team members and service lines across the firm to overcome challenges and optimise outcomes for clients.”

Montagu Evans advises public and private sector clients across Scotland, including development, valuation, rating, lease advisory activity, as well as planning,  heritage and townscape. Key planning roles and projects include Scotland’s first Center Parcs, Haventus Ardersier Port, Rosebery House at Haymarket and Haymarket itself, Quartermile, the Royal High School in Edinburgh, The Àrd – Glasgow’s tallest building, and numerous roles for Scottish universities.

Qualis Commercial, advised by Montagu Evans, has sold the Waltham Connect industrial estate in Waltham Abbey to a private investor.

The new build estate was completed in September 2024 and totals 32,750 sq ft across four high-specification units ranging from 5,958 sq ft to 10,157 sq ft.

Each building offers 8.85m clear internal height, a level access loading door, ground floor reception space and first floor offices. 10+ car parking spaces are provided per unit, including 2 EV charging points per unit, with provision for more. It has been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC A+ certifications with sustainability features, including rooftop PV panels.

The estate is located two miles from J26 of the M25 and three miles from the A10. Waltham Cross station connecting with Liverpool Street and Stratford is also three miles away, and the scheme is served by bus routes to Walthamstow, Chingford and Harlow.

Montagu Evans has been retained as the leasing agent for the estate under the new name of Abbey Trade Park.

Tom Paton-Smith, Partner and head of Montagu Evans’ industrial and logistics team, said: “This is a well-located, high-quality commercial development, addressing the shortage of new build, ESG-compliant units in the area. It is particularly attractive given strong appetite from the trade sector for these more affordable fringe locations and that each unit has been designed flexibly, with these types of businesses in mind.”

More on that opportunity here.

Alan Harris, this week, takes on the role of Managing Partner of Montagu Evans, its tenth since the partnership’s founding in 1921.

Formerly head of its Advisory Department, with a background in development consultancy, Alan has also led the partnership’s town centre and public sector groups since joining the firm in 2001. He has held a seat on Montagu Evans’ Executive Committee – which runs the business – since 2014.

Previous Managing Partner Rob Bower retired from the role and the partnership on 31 March 2025 following a decade in post.

Alan Harris, Managing Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “We are entering a new phase of growth, backed by considerable investment from our Partners and renewed focus on areas where we can support clients’ ambitions most effectively.

“Montagu Evans remains very proud to be a consultancy-led LLP: small enough for clients to quickly get to the right advice but with scale in our planning, advisory and transactional specialisms to provide extra resource and expertise to unlock complex opportunities for both the public and private sectors UK-wide.

“We’re continuing to invest in our outstanding people, welcoming new talent, promoting from within and expanding our expertise, while continuing to think and act long-term. Major, multi-service instructions continue, and we are excited by the opportunities ahead.”

Longstanding clients of Montagu Evans include Aberdeen, Aviva Investors, Barratts, CBRE IM, Crown Estate, London Square, Regal London and SEGRO, as well as Homes England, the NHS, Network Rail, DIO, TfL and a number of London and UK-wide local authorities.

The partnership is currently advising on regeneration schemes, including Camden Film Quarter, Custom House, Earl’s Court, Bow Goods Yard, Orchard Wharf, the Royal Albert Dock in East London, Festival Gardens in Liverpool, and other major sites nationwide – from estate regeneration to major new settlements. It has recently helped to secure planning approval for landmark sites including the former WWII Kingsway Tunnels, new space for King’s College London on Aldwych, and significant new homes at Westfield London, as well as providing historic environment and townscape consultancy for projects including the Grade II listed gasholders repurposing in Bromley-by-Bow and Smithfield market in Birmingham.

Montagu Evans has announced its latest promotions as part of its stated growth strategy and focus on internal progression alongside a wider programme of senior lateral hires.

• As of 1 April 2025, the business will include three new Partners: Matthew Gray in Planning (Commercial), Matthew Hayes in Development Advisory and Alan Fitzpatrick in Planning (Scotland).
• Four promotions to Associate have been made: Georgie Dixon in Advisory, Anna Harrhy in Planning (Central London), Rachel Mushet in Planning (Commercial) and Robbie Catling in Living and Land. They join six new Associates in the October 2024 mid-year promotions round: Jasmine Ceccarelli-Drewry, Richard Glover, Lucy Muir and Rory Taylor in Advisory, Ben Tosland in Planning (Historic Environments and Townscape), and Will Fennell in Industrial & Logistics.
• Also, from 1 April 2025, 14 promotions have been made to Senior across all departments, including central management. They join nine earlier promotions made in October 2024.

Managing Partner Rob Bower retires from the role and from the Partnership on 31 March 2025 after a decade in his current role and 30 years with the business.

He said: “I can’t easily put down in words how much I’ve enjoyed being the Managing Partner of this great firm, one of the few larger, true LLPs left in our industry. We see talented people who are keen to join or return to this true partnership culture knocking on our doors every day – long may that continue!

“They will join a number of senior recruits in the last six months as investment in the firm ramps up – two new Partners in Industrial & Logistics and one in Rating (with two more to come later this year in Residential and Planning), a new Associate in Historic Environment & Townscape; a Senior Adviser in social value; HR and Finance business partners, a Senior Bids Manager and others. They are all very welcome.

“But more than that, one area I have always been immensely proud of is the rich pool of talent already within the Partnership. The range of skills, the diversity of thinking and the calibre of everyone that has been promoted in the past year is a testament to the ethos we have created together at Montagu Evans over the past decade. I should pay thanks – not only to everyone whose progress and commitment has been recognised in this way, but to those who have encouraged, mentored and supported them on the way. It has been – as it should always be – a team effort.

“We are committed to investing in our people, welcoming new talent, and expanding our expertise. Supported by millions in new capital, this will ensure we continue to provide exceptional service and insight to our clients during this crucial period for the economy. Our focus on key markets for the business’s planning, advisory and transactional specialists remains, and we retain strong, effective leadership at the most senior levels of the Partnership to drive this growth.”

Montagu Evans has further expanded its growing social impact capability with the appointment of Kyra Kocis as Senior Adviser.

A specialist in built environment-led systems change, Kyra has recently worked with Nesta, Future of London and the National League of Cities in Washington DC. A 2020 Marshall Scholar, she has a Masters in International Urban Planning from UCL and one in Social Science Research Methods from the University of Sussex. She previously worked with the Gates Foundation and studied at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

At Montagu Evans, she will join Partners Jenny Rydon, Oliver Maury, Craig Blatchford and others to support planning, development and regeneration activity.

This growing area of the business uses a place-based approach to help clients integrate social impact into investment, development and planning, including overarching strategies as well as site and portfolio-specific support. Ballymore, Barratt Homes, Yoo Capital, Queen Mary University London, Lateral, Barts Health NHS Trust, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town Partnership are all social impact clients. Most recently, the team has been appointed by the West Midlands Combined Authority, with support from the One Public Estate, to explore how social value can shape estate decisions across the public estate in Wolverhampton.

Jenny Rydon, Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “At its best, social impact activity should engage all involved stakeholders – including the local community. Solutions must be locally relevant, financially viable and integrated into core concepts of planning and development. Strategies should incorporate concerns ranging from the commitments of individual organisations through to how projects are equitably delivered and look further to how places drive positive impact in perpetuity from a legacy perspective.

“Anyone commissioning or delivering regeneration will increasingly need to apply relevant, appropriate methods, leverage cross-sector collaboration, and ensure a supportive, sustainable funding and policy environment to scale what works while staying responsive to societal needs.

“Our growing team is firmly rooted in place-based principles and integrated into Montagu Evans’ wider consultancy services. Kyra brings a multi-disciplinary approach which defines and will continue to help our solutions stand out, and we are delighted to welcome her to the partnership.”

Kyra Kocis, Senior Advisor at Montagu Evans, added: “Social impact goes beyond numbers – innovative methods, diverse perspectives, and deep local knowledge should all be combined to create strategies that drive lasting change. It’s not just about measuring outputs but designing and adapting interventions that meaningfully shift outcomes for the people we are working with. I’m thrilled to join the partnership at Montagu Evans to deliver social impact solutions that address our clients’ immediate needs while building long-term strategies to manage, de-risk and support sustainable development.”