Colliers' capital advisory lead on the rise of 'dequity'
John Knowles, head of capital advisory at Colliers, believes the next 12 to 18 months will be somewhat of a curate's egg, "good and bad in parts".
Speaking on a bonus episode of CoStar News' Top CREdentials podcast, Knowles, who has worked at the consultancy for more than 12 years, says "black swan" events are creating constant uncertainty for markets across the globe. Despite this, he argues opportunities remain.
"Even over the last five years, when we have been in choppy sailing conditions, there have been bright spots in that market... where different sectors have performed quite well, whether that has been industrial or whether that has been parts of the living market. I think you will continue to see that, there will be pockets of where the market goes really well."
In the episode, Knowles discusses the early years of his career leasing offices in Hong Kong, highlighting the fast pace at which he saw transactions complete in East Asian markets. He also explains why regional offices in the UK are becoming an attractive proposition and why he continues to enjoy working on the agency side of property.
Newmark recruits experienced director to UK retail team
Newmark has appointed Josh Braid as a director in its UK retail team to drive leasing strategies for landlords. Braid is also asked to advise on the repositioning and "strategic activation" of retail and leisure schemes across London and EMEA. He has 15 years’ experience advising landlords, tenants and investors across London and Europe. He led the leasing strategies for landmark projects, including The Old War Office and Knightsbridge Gate, as well as flagship Oxford Street lettings for global brands including Krispy Kreme and Samsonite. Braid joins Newmark from Knight Frank, where he led the central London retail agency and cross-border retail team.
City Property Association elects Nikki Dibley as chair
Helical senior development executive Nikki Dibley will become chair of the City Property Association. She will succeed Ross Sayers, the head of development management at Landsec, after being elected this month. Dibley has two decades' experience and joined Helical in 2007. She will work with recently appointed vice-chair, Simon Swietochowski, development director at BNP Paribas Asset Management Alt. Both will serve a two-year term. Dibley said: "I look forward to working with the City Corporation and other stakeholders to ensure the Square Mile remains the number one destination for international capital, talent and visitors."
Colliers bolsters London flex consultancy with new service
Colliers directors Phoebe Reilly and Joseph Mishon have been chosen by the business to lead a new specialist flexible and managed space consultancy service. The offering sits in One London, a team created in April that brings together Colliers’ specialists across the capital, in partnership with Europe, Middle East and Africa Occupier Services and Colliers SmartFlex. The business said that the service expands its flexible workplace advisory function to a team of more than 10 specialists delivering Colliers SmartFlex. Reilly and Mishon have collectively advised on more than 1 million square feet of space and joined the business in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Bidwells enlists trio to lead new Oxford residential agency
Bidwells has chosen Maxine Reynolds, Nick Jones and Iain Powis to lead its new full-service residential property agency in Oxford. Reynolds leads the sales programme, handling resale transactions, having joined in March, while Jones joins as a partner following Bidwells' acquisition of his residential agency business, Nicholas Jones Residential. Powis, who entered in January 2025, leads new homes, working with developers on the sale of new-build schemes. The residential agency is supported directly by Bidwells' land and development team, led by Zanna Bowles in Oxford. The firm is best known for its life sciences property work in the area.
Property pros raise £15,000 playing in rugby tournament
Property professionals from across the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North-West, including Jonathan Robinson, development director at Barberry Group, and MXW Real Estate Advisors' Adam McGuinness, have raised more than £15,000 for charity by playing in a rugby tournament. The funds were raised during the Tri-Regions Rugby competition hosted by Midlands Property at Averyfields in Birmingham, home of Bournville Rugby Club and Midlands Hurricanes RLFC. The event brought together three regional teams for an afternoon of rugby, supporting both the Alzheimer’s Society and The Lewis Moody Trust. Midlands Property lifted the winner’s trophy.