Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans continues to grow its Strategic Advisory team with the appointment of Adam Caplan as Partner.

Caplan will deliver complex strategic projects across public and private sectors, working closely with Montagu Evans’ clients who need specialist advice. He will provide surveying and consultancy skills to provide joined-up solutions from the early stages of any planning and development project to bring about positive change. He joins the partnership from CBRE, where he was a Director in its Strategic Transformation team delivering advisory and transaction-based projects for clients, landlords and investors.

Montagu Evans’ 15-strong Strategic Advisory team works with a breadth of public and private sector clients to solve complex problems and unlock challenges that help to improve the performance of clients’ real estate and the business operations that support it. It works with a diverse range of clients, including the GLA across the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, Network Rail, London Borough of Lambeth, LaSalle Investment Management, CEG and The Crown Estate in order to create the vision, enable development and evolve places to ensure that place-making initiatives are financially viable, well-designed, market-oriented, community-driven and effectively managed.​

Isabel Miller has recently joined the same team as a Research Analyst reporting to Montagu Evans’ Head of Strategic Insight, Jon Neale. Morgan Reece, also in Strategic Advisory, who specialises in socio and economic development, was promoted to Partner on 1 April this year.

Jenny Rydon, Partner at Montagu Evans and head of its Strategic Advisory team, said: “As the sector evolves and markets continue to shift, we have seen organisational priorities begin to better align their real estate with their corporate objectives against a backdrop of social, environmental and economic aspects where the measurable impact is greater than the commercial drivers. This means that early-stage strategic advice and an in-depth understanding of client operations is critical to tackling complex issues with creativity and collaboration.

“Adam will be particularly good at developing a broad understanding of client challenges and bringing together the right specialist teams from within our partnership to creatively identify and implement the right solutions. He will be able to draw on his experience across both the public and private sectors – from business owners and major landlords to public sector bodies and occupiers – to share learnings and innovations in order to add meaningful value across the board.

Adam is a Fellow of the RICS.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has formally adopted a new framework masterplan to open up a key gateway area to the northwest of Stratford-Upon-Avon town centre, aimed at increasing cultural and tourism opportunities around William Shakespeare’s connection with the historic town.

The gateway site includes the provision of a ‘World Shakespeare Centre’ promoted by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to celebrate the life and work of the world-renowned dramatist and anchor a broader mix of town centre uses and enhanced public realm, complementing Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and other cultural attractions around the town.

The Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was developed by Corstorphine & Wright in conjunction with the district council and following significant public consultation. Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans provided the Historic, Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment report, which helped inform key elements of the framework masterplan SPD, including recommendations on the scale and how the design should respond to the context.

The framework masterplan set out in the SPD will become a material planning consideration for the site, providing certainty to developers and shaping future development. It establishes high-level design principles and provides a vision for high-quality and sustainable regeneration of the site.

Jonathan Tarbatt, Director of Urban Design at Corstorphine & Wright, said: “Regenerating this underused and unattractive site will put in place a ‘new piece of town’ for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.  The SPD provides assurance that the development comes forward in a coordinated manner that ensures the World Shakespeare Centre, other mixed uses and wider public realm improvements are delivered through a comprehensive framework masterplan taking account of potential phasing scenarios and interim uses.”

Lucy Markham, Partner in Montagu Evans’ Historic Environment and Townscape team, added: “Stratford-upon-Avon is an important historic town with a vast cultural legacy and many heritage assets that contribute to its attractiveness and economic prosperity. This new SPD sets out both planning and design guidelines that will help ensure new regeneration makes a positive contribution to the town’s wider historic context and supports the long-term future of its numerous listed buildings. It will also act as a blueprint for future developers, showing how they can reinvigorate the important Gateway site in a viable and sustainable way whilst preserving the character and distinct identity of the town overall.”

 

BAME in Property, which works to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in real estate, has announced a new name, brand and expanded purpose. The new name, ‘PREACH Inclusion®’ (PREACH standing for Promoting Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage), acknowledges the evolution of the organisation’s services and scope. PREACH Inclusion® will not only promote racial, ethnic and cultural diversity across the Built Environment sector, it will also support the sector towards greater intersectional inclusion.

Over the last 18 months, what was ‘BAME In Property’ has expanded to include race workshops, creative content around faith and religion, as well as insights into identity and cultural heritage. PREACH Inclusion® will grow this, exploring workshops on identity and cultural intelligence (also known as CQ). It will also continue its existing services, including: corporate and individual memberships, events, a job promotion board, consultancy, community engagement strategies, and support on industry educational campaigns.

The new name and brand acknowledge that the term BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) can be insufficient when it comes to describing individual ethnic groups, as well as the huge diversity of people with whom PREACH Inclusion® works and represents. Born out of dialogue and debate with many in the industry, the new name reflects the views of those who do not identify as ‘BAME’ and are keen to see the industry move away from this controversial term.

Founder and Director Priya Aggarwal-Shah launched BAME in Property in 2018 to challenge the status quo and to address taboos within the sector around unconscious and conscious bias, microaggressions, racism, as well as staff retention and senior representation in the leadership of ethnic minorities. The organisation, which began as a part-time passion project, has since hosted networking events with industry leaders for thousands of property professionals, built a respected social media platform and has been a role model for the industry in demonstrating best practice campaigns for the likes of Race Equality Week, #MyNameIs, and South Asian Heritage Month – to name a few. Priya left her role at a leading communications consultancy to go full-time with BAME in Property in the summer of 2022. Current clients include Montagu Evans, Trident Building Consultancy, National Grid, Turley, London Property Alliance and many others.

Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director, PREACH Inclusion®: 

“BAME in Property is something I have been so proud of, but in recent years, we’ve seen first-hand a greater interest in anti-racism and people using ethnicity and cultural heritage as a mode of identification. Our new name, PREACH Inclusion®, reflects our desire to do more, to have a greater impact and to recognise that personal identity can come not just from race, but through the intersection of race, ethnicity and cultural heritage.

“We know that talking about race, ethnicity and identity can, for many, be daunting. Our mission is to act as the industry’s critical friend and guide – and to be disruptive when needed. Why? Because ultimately inclusive corporate workplaces deliver diversity of thoughts – which in turn breeds greater innovation, creativity, and more successful places. Through tailored services, creative analogies, and strategic advice, we’re helping companies PREACH Inclusion® as a key part of their overall company strategy – not just an afterthought.

Victoria Thompson, HR Director, Montagu Evans:

The new brand was unveiled at an event last night (Thursday 25 April), sponsored by Montagu Evans. HR Director Victoria Thompson said: “A diverse and inclusive workforce brings with it diversity of thought, skills and experience which enable us all to be progressive, innovative and make a difference. Priya has already made an enormous, positive impact on the sector but there is still lots more to do. This new name and focus on greater intersectional inclusion is an important – and welcome – next step.

Bhavini Shah, Partner at Montagu Evans and the Partner Sponsor of our racial and ethnic inclusion employee network, Open Circle, 

“Last night was a fantastic example of the diverse talent and brilliant allies we have in our industry. We look forward to continuing our important relationship with PREACH Inclusion and are really excited to bring the intersectional lens that Priya referenced in her speech last night into our own DE&I strategy.

To find out more or to become a member, visit https://www.preachinclusion.com/.

 

The former headquarters of the British Army in Scotland has been sold to Miller Developments and the William Pears Group, both advised by Savills. The William Pears Group is acquiring the 78 former MOD houses for refurbishment, whilst Miller Developments is acquiring the balance of the 96 acre site for future redevelopment.

The site is located on the north-west fringe of Edinburgh, adjacent to the established prime residential areas of Cammo, Cramond and Dalmeny. It was marketed by Montagu Evans on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and attracted several bids at a closing date.  It includes a number of listed buildings, including the Category A listed Craigiehall House (along with its Walled Garden and Stable Block) and the Category B listed former Anti-Aircraft Operations Room.

Savills said: “We are delighted our joint bid from Miller Developments and William Pears Group has led to a successful acquisition. The combination of this attractive and historical property, and its exceptional setting on the banks of the River Almond, makes it a very special opportunity indeed.

“Nearby existing residential enclaves are in high demand from those who wish to be in easy reach of the city centre, yet close to the airport and to Scotland’s rail and motorway network, including the new Queensferry Crossing across the Firth of Forth.

The William Pears Group are a financing and real estate group, who operate a strategic approach and are committed to  long-term investment  which adds value. The Group was successful in its bid for the 78 existing homes at Craigiehall.

Miller Developments is one of the UK’s leading land and property development companies. With a strong track record going back for more than 50 years, Miller Developments has extensive experience across every sector of the market and a strong presence in Edinburgh.  David Milloy, Managing Director of Miller Developments said:  “Opportunities of this quality do not come along very often.  We are therefore very pleased to have been successful in buying the barrack site with a view to securing consent for future development within this high quality site.

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans advised the DIO on this disposal in its role as Strategic Property Adviser to the defence organisation. It is also appointed to the DIO’s Estate Management Professional Services (EMPS) contract, delivering major defence estate requirements in a solus appointment under the Crown Commercial Services Framework Agreement.

Adrian Owen, Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “This disposal forms part of a wider strategy for releasing surplus defence estate assets to maximise value for the public purse and ensure a strong focus on social value. The site is very well-located for new development, and we are pleased to have secured agreement for its future economic use following a strong bidding process.”

Montagu Evans’ Historic Environment and Townscape team has recently advised the Topland Group and Colico Living on a planning application approved by the City of Cardiff’s planning committee on the 11th April 2024. As part of this application, for a tall building predominantly of purpose-built student accommodation (585 beds), they had to study the intricate history of the city, its castle, and its civic centre.

Cardiff skyline from the keep [Source: Montagu Evans]

Cardiff Castle dates back to the Roman period in AD55-60. Successive phases of the castle’s development followed, including the construction of a motte and bailey after the Norman invasion in 1081. The stone keep from this period survives today, with panoramic views of the Cardiff skyline achieved from its summit. The castle was expanded, altered and rebuilt in the centuries following as it passed from owner to owner, each leaving their own unique mark. The castle was updated substantially in the 19th century by the celebrated architect William Burges (1827-1881), who reimagined the medieval building into a contemporary home for John Crichton-Stuart, the third Marquis of Bute.  Burges’ reimagination of Cardiff Castle was as a vast ‘Gothic Playhouse’ which began in 1865. He was involved up until his death in 1881. The substantial Clock Tower (designed in 1866) in the south-west corner of the castle wall is the most dominant exterior feature and acts as a landmark along Castle Street. However, Burges’ interior designs are particularly striking and notable. With the investment of Bute – reputedly the wealthiest man in the world and heir to a substantial fortune – Burges rebuilt Cardiff Castle with ‘opulent interiors rich in symbolism and narrative art recalling the work of the pre-Raphaelite painters’, of which there were in total 17 rooms and designed interiors, cresting with the rib vaulted smoking room in the clock tower.

Cardiff Castle – 1921 [Source: Wales Online]

Cardiff Castle stands today as one of the finest examples of the playfulness of the Gothic Revival and embodies the High Victorian era, displaying perhaps the most elaborate ensemble of 19th-century ornamentation to be found anywhere in the country; it is understood as a pair with the romantic vision of Castle Coch, located to the north of the city and see from the medieval keep.

The keep at Cardiff Castle (left), Cardiff Castle interior (right) [Source: Montagu Evans]

The Cathays Park Civic Quarter, to the north of the site and castle, is a piece of city development which was constructed in the early 1900s as a grand Civic Centre. It includes key landmark buildings within the city, including the City Hall, the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, Law Courts and Cardiff University. The land was formerly the site of a Georgian mansion, built for the 1^st Marquess of Bute and was sold by the Bute family to the Council in 1898 to provide a cultural, educational and recreational space and to obtain land to place a new town hall. The buildings were built throughout the early 20^th century by various architects who won competitions to design the principal buildings. One such individual was Edwin Rickards (1872-1920), a flamboyant Edwardian architect who won the competition to design the City Hall and is known for other buildings, including Deptford Town Hall. The buildings within the Civic Centre are laid out along clearly defined north-south and east-west axis’, arranged around three main open spaces within the core of the Civic Centre.

Cardiff Civic Centre [Source: Montagu Evans]

The Civic Centre is nationally recognised as a significant example of civic urban planning. Each of the buildings has its own architectural identity and style, but together, they form part of a cohesive group. The scale and grandeur of the buildings represent Cardiff’s industrial success throughout the 19^th century, which brought prosperity to the city.

Each phase of Cardiff’s long and varied history is evident in its urban fabric and contributes to its narrative of regeneration, which makes it one of the most nationally important cities in Great Britain. This is evidenced by its highly significant collection of built heritage.

Our Historic Environment and Townscape Team visited Cardiff last year as part of their involvement in the redevelopment of Friary House, Greyfriars Road in the centre of the city. The 28-storey element of the scheme would be visible from within Cardiff’s Castle’s walls and within the Civic Centre. As such, our work comprised the assessment of the visual change to the settings of the above heritage assets while also separately focusing on the benefits to the townscape character and visual amenity that the development, designed by ECE Westworks architects, will bring to Cardiff.

Final image below: Skyline showing the proposed development [Source: Nicholas Pearson Associates]

 

On 1st March 2023, the High Court (J Lieven) quashed the Secretary of State’s (July 2023) decision to refuse planning permission for the redevelopment of Marks and Spencer’s store on Oxford Street.

Montagu Evans acted as Historic Environment and Townscape advisers.

M&S succeeded on five of the six grounds of challenge:

1. The Secretary of State’s statement that “there should generally be a strong presumption in favour of repurposing and reusing buildings, as reflected in paragraph 152 of NPPF [now para 157] was a misinterpretation of the NPPF and an error of law; there is no such presumption;

2. The Secretary of State unlawfully failed to explain why he disagreed with his Inspector’s conclusion that there was no viable and deliverable alternative to the proposed scheme;

3. The Secretary of State unlawfully failed “to grapple with the implications of refusal and the loss of the benefits and thus departure from important Development Plan policies;

4. The Secretary of State unlawfully failed to provide adequate reasons for concluding (in disagreement with the Inspector) that the harm to the vitality and viability of Oxford Street would be “limited if M&S’s scheme (or an alternative) were not delivered;

5. The Secretary of State’s erred through a factual error and by a misinterpretation of development plan policy on carbon. The judgment confirms that offsetting requirements in the London Plan are in relation to operational carbon, and not embodied carbon. J Lieven found that the misinterpretation may have led the Secretary of State to draw a different conclusion than he would have done otherwise.

Timur Tatlioglu, Chris Miele, Nick Pond and Helen Marrison advised for Montagu Evans.

Congratulations to Marks and Spencer and its legal team, Russell Harris KC and Heather Sargent, as well as Roy Pinnock, Megan Forbes and Melanie Blanchard at Dentons.

The full judgment is here: https://assets.caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2024/452/ewhc_admin_2024_452.pdf

Image Credit: Marks and Spencer

 

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has further increased its planning capability with the appointment of Mark Gibney as Partner.

The former Head of Planning at Avison Young’s London office joins the partnership this week with a focus on supporting new and existing clients to leverage opportunities across the capital, particularly within the outer London boroughs.

A specialist in major projects, primarily in housing and regeneration, Mark has 30+ years of experience in securing permission for numerous high-profile projects, including high-density, mixed-use and tall building developments. He maintains strong links with public sector organisations and undertakes expert witness work, including local inquiries and litigation.

At Montagu Evans, he will focus on working with housebuilders, landowners, investors, developers and public sector clients, collaborating with specialists in other disciplines, including the historic environment and townscape, agency, advisory and viability.

This is the latest appointment in the growth of Montagu Evans’ planning capability. In the past year, it has appointed a further 14 new recruits to the team, of which six, including Partner Rachel Crick and Emma Gill (Associate), focus on planning and development projects in the capital. Colin Sinclair (Associate) and Tiahna Joshi (Planner) have joined the company’s housing and land planning team, and Ashley Collins has joined as Partner specialising in commercial planning, including data centres, life sciences and industrial/logistics.

Craig Blatchford, Head of Planning at Montagu Evans, said: “Mark will build on our existing borough specialisms and step up our expertise in other key geographies across London to support clients bringing forward a wide range of schemes. His skill set, connections and local knowledge, especially in the outer boroughs and particularly around residential-led schemes, stand out, and his enthusiasm for supporting our next generation of planners will be hugely valuable as the team grows further in the months ahead.

Mark Gibney, Partner at Montagu Evans, added: “I have known and respected the Montagu Evans team for many years, not just from projects across London, but through its work across a wide range of sectors. In particular, I have regularly worked in tandem with its specialist heritage and townscape partners to deliver success for shared clients. Its collaboration, strong sense of partnership and commitment to supporting team members are all important factors as I take on this new role and get back to working closely with clients and supporting their plans.

Mark is a member of the RTPI.

 

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a time to shine a spotlight on the invaluable role apprenticeships play in shaping the future workforce. With this year’s theme being ‘Skills for Life,’ the focus is on the significance of apprenticeships in gaining skills that extend far beyond the workplace. It is a celebration of the commitment to lifelong learning, personal growth, and professional development, providing them with the tools they need for a successful and fulfilling career journey.

At Montagu Evans, we offer a five-year apprenticeship in Partnership with the University of Westminster. Apprentices rotate between departments, gaining a complete experience, where time is split between studies, one day per week, which will be delivered online until classroom learning resumes and our offices (and virtually), four days per week. For the final two years, our apprentices automatically join our graduate rotation programme, where they work towards completing their APC to become RICS qualified.

To celebrate NAW, we asked some of our apprentices about their experiences so far, why they would recommend taking an apprenticeship and how they feel apprentices are enhancing the organisations they work for. We also chatted with Lucy, an apprentice mentor, and Jess, our early careers coordinator.

JUSTIN PARKER – APPRENTICE SURVEYOR

“I would recommend a Degree Apprenticeship to anyone who wishes to benefit from entering a real business environment and gaining a recognised qualification. You develop skills for life and hands-on experience directly relevant to your chosen career path which going to university alone cannot provide.

Since joining Montagu Evans in September 2022, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an apprentice. I feel valued and supported by everyone, and I am pleased to have been entrusted with responsibility at a higher level than I first imagined. I feel that apprentices bring a diversity of thought and positivity into an organisation.

AARON SINGH – APPRENTICE SURVEYOR

“There are multiple reasons why a degree apprenticeship appealed to me, but the main one was the ability to merge my academic learning from university with the projects/tasks I work on in the workplace. This helps bolster my knowledge, skills, and experience of my desired career.

Since joining Montagu Evans in September 2022, I have been supported in the transition from sixth form to a professional working lifestyle by all the team and was eased into the process. The culture of Montagu Evans allows you to have a great work-life balance and overall enjoy the work you do.

Apprentices are helping to diversify teams and bring new perspectives to projects from a younger mindset. Our hands-on experience contributes to the firm’s success and growth, which provides great self-achievement.

ELLANA WOODLEY – APPRENTICE SURVEYOR

“The main benefit of employing apprentices is introducing fresh talent and ideas to the business, where you can align training to the company’s specific business needs as well as upskilling existing employees. It can also boost staff loyalty and motivation due to the relationships formed and the business familiarity.

More specifically for ME, the scheme offers apprentices to gain experience in up to 7 different departments of the business. By the end of the 5 years, apprentices will have a great understanding of the business as a whole, which is beneficial in the long run in regard to referrals and collaboration. Additionally, it allows the apprentice to identify their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes in the business. As a result, their department selection at the end of the apprenticeship process is likely to be a more secure decision, thus further increasing staff loyalty and motivation.?

LUCY MUIR – SENIOR SURVEYOR AND MENTOR

“The Apprenticeship Scheme that we offer at Montagu Evans is a fantastic programme which opens up opportunities for individuals from non-traditional academic backgrounds to start their careers within the real estate industry. Apprentices bring innovation and diversification to the firm, infusing fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and a drive for learning in the workplace. Their presence not only fuels growth but also encourages a culture of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration, which helps us to be a thriving and dynamic organisation.?

JESS FREEMAN – EARLY CAREERS COORDINATOR

“I love seeing our Apprentices go from strength to strength and having such a successful start to their career. Our Apprentices are highly valued members of our organisation, contributing to the success of the teams they work with. Not only this, but they contribute to the wider business outside of the day job, most notably by taking an active role in our FutureGen Network.?

[Our Apprentices photographed: Louie Earle-Davis, Aaron Singh, Jack Winterton, Ellie Smith, Anna Mido, Justin Parker. Not pictured, Ellana Woodley and Jamil Saiyed].

As National Apprenticeship Week unfolds, let’s reflect on the theme ‘Skills for Life’ and the profound impact apprenticeships have on individuals and organisations. The skills acquired during apprenticeships are not just for the workplace; they are tools that individuals carry with them throughout their lives, contributing to personal growth, adaptability, and continuous learning. To learn more about these celebrations, you can visit the official NAW website here, and for further information on our early career careers, visit here.

 

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has appointed Ashley Collins as a Partner in its 100-strong Planning team.

With over 15 years of commercial planning experience, most recently specialising in the data centre, industrial and logistics and life sciences markets, Collins joins the partnership following almost a decade at JLL, where he was a director in its Planning team.

At Montagu Evans, he will continue to focus on the commercial sector, providing strategic planning advice to developers, investors and landowners on the potential of sites in terms of new development opportunities and the repurposing of existing assets.

Craig Blatchford, Head of Planning at Montagu Evans, said: “Ashley is an accomplished commercial planner across the full spectrum of employment and retail sectors and one of the leading data centre planning specialists around. His collaborative nature fits well with Montagu Evans’ ethos, where we work closely with our advisory and transactional colleagues to ensure a strategic approach to overcome our clients’ planning and development challenges. We are very pleased to welcome him as the first of several new Planning team members of 2024, building upon our significant investment throughout 2023.

Ashley Collins added: “Montagu Evans places planning and development at the heart of its business and continues to grow and invest in its people and the services it provides. This, alongside its range of complementary planning specialisms, including heritage, townscape, viability and sustainability, was one of the key reasons for me joining the partnership. I’m looking forward to the new role.

Collins is a member of the RTPI.

 

Planning and development consultancy Montagu Evans has been appointed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), part of the Ministry of Defence, as its winning tenderer for Estate Management Professional Services (EMPS) under the Crown Commercial Services Framework Agreement.

Under the solus contract appointment, Montagu Evans will support the DIO in delivering major estate requirements equating to an annual portfolio requirement of up to 125 hectares per year that will drive productive use of the retained estate and release surplus land and assets to meet local, regional and national objectives. This includes:

• Delivery of agreed professional and technical services including a range of property acquisition and disposal advice across the DIO’s Business as Usual site (BAU) portfolio and across a range of military clients.
• The Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme (REOP), an additional optimisation programme across the volunteer estate utilised by the network of the UK’s regional Reserve Forces and Cadet Organisations The objective is to strategically identify, retain and invest in the Volunteer Estate to best meet Defence outputs and secure best value with a focus on the sale of surplus buildings and land for reinvestment back into the estate.
• Land Management Services (LMS), to provide effective management of the leasehold estate and support any landlord and tenant issues that might arise in rural and urban locations.

Montagu Evans will lead as the solus contractor with a wider professional sub-team including SWECO, Gleeds, Cascade, HLM Architects, Allsop and Fisher German, undertaking professional advisory work across the UK, including town planning advice, valuation and masterplanning, as well as technical advisory support for the disposal of surplus sites and wider estate and property management.

The appointment follows Montagu Evans taking on the role as the DIO’s Strategic Property Advisor (Lot 1 lead) since 2019, which is continuing alongside this new appointment.

Adrian Owen, Partner at Montagu Evans and lead for the appointment, said: “These are major real estate programmes and a significant appointment that will create value for the public estate and new opportunities for housing and other drivers of long-term economic and community benefit.

“Throughout our longstanding relationship with the DIO, we will be looking beyond physical site boundaries to consider local needs and drivers as well as wider commercial opportunities, and we will be embedding local engagement and social value targets firmly within our plans.

“The appointment also reflects Montagu Evans’ continued support for those that serve our country, which has been underlined by the partnership signing the Armed Forces Covenant. We are pleased to have been selected again by the DIO and the team is keen to get going.

Jenny Rydon, Partner at Montagu Evans and Head of its Strategic Advisory team, said: “The DIO is critical to ensuring our defence is operated from a quality, fit for purpose estate. This additional appointment solidifies our commitment to supporting DIO to maximise public sector assets in a timely way whilst considering the full impact and opportunity that can be brought forward.

“Given the complexity involved and sensitivity needed, our planning and development strengths are an important factor, and we are bringing together a wide range of specialists in our multidisciplinary team, with strong programme management, governance and a commitment to best value underpinning our entire approach.

Catherine Davies, Head of Estates for Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said: “We are pleased to be working with Montagu Evans to support our ongoing proactive management of the UK defence estate. Through the combined expertise of Montagu Evans and DIO’s Estate team, we will be able to take decisions about the future of MOD land more quickly and effectively, ensuring that our estate is optimised to best meet the future needs of the Armed Forces.