Avison Young names national capital markets head; Quartet launches advisory firm; Vandermolen hires

Avison Young has filled another key position in its UK leadership team by promoting Guy Spencer to head of national capital markets. He takes on the role after joining the firm as a director in January 2025, having held senior positions at BNP Paribas and Strutt & Parker, and is based in London.

The global property consultancy said Spencer's promotion "represents a significant step" for the business and its capital markets business group, while it continues to expand its London teams and focus on asset class specialisation to retain and attract clients.

It follows the arrival of Richard Day at the beginning of this year as head of debt advisory, who was brought in to lead the growth of the company's debt brokerage and advisory teams. Real estate investment banker Graham Barnes was also recruited to head of corporate finance in Avison Young's its capital markets division this week, read here.

Chris Pilgrim, principal, managing director and head of capital markets UK, said: "Guy’s promotion marks another important milestone for our capital markets team, as we continue to innovate to provide a market-leading service for our growing client base."

A quartet of agents formerly at Avison Young, including Robbie Macdonald, have left the company to launch advisory business LinksRe. The team, which also includes Martin Devine, Stuart Commins and one other person, will be focusing on providing advice to owners, occupiers and flexible office operators. Sources said the fourth team member is Andrew Ingram, who is still on gardening leave. The firm will focus on London in the first instance, with the view to picking up mandates across the regions and in Dublin when they arise, sources added. The business soft-launched in January, according to LinkedIn, and is instructed as joint leasing agents alongside Kontor on City Tower.

Vandermolen Real Estate has appointed Tom Kerins, a MRICS-qualified real estate professional with more than 15 years’ experience, as associate director, from Finn & Company. It said the recruit brings a "strong track record across commercial and residential investment agency and capital markets". He was a director at his previous firm and led more than 50 transactions totalling over £400 million. Kerins started his career at Lambert Smith Hampton across capital markets, valuation and agency, working with high-profile clients such as Cerberus Capital Management, the BBC and major UK banks.

Executive search and advisory firm Madison Lincoln has hired Tony Horrell, the former chairman of Colliers UK and Ireland, as senior adviser. He stepped down as the latter's chief executive in 2025 after 14 years at the helm. Horrell has more than four decades of experience in real estate and capital markets. He left his most recent role at Colliers, non-executive chairman, in December, but is still doing some consultancy work. At Madison Lincoln he will "support strategic growth, strengthen connections with clients and partners, and leverage his extensive network to open new opportunities across the industry", the firm said.

JLL has appointed two directors, Andy Riach and Richard Williams, in its Midlands team, in addition to announcing a new head of ratings for the wider region. The duo join the firm's office agency team from Lambert Smith Hampton, where they co-led the Birmingham office agency team. Prior to working at LSH, Williams spent time at Colliers and Knight Frank, while Riach rejoins JLL after a 15-year stint at the beginning of his career. Jordan Fendick becomes head of ratings in the Midlands, having previously been a director in its business rates team and working at the company for more than seven years. He takes up the role vacated by Peter Fullam, who became head of UK rating in January.

Global investment manager Cain has hired Ina Plunien in London as senior vice-president in its Europe, Middle East and Africa hospitality team. She joins from Cedar Capital Partners, where she specialised in luxury and lifestyle hospitality investments across Europe. She is a graduate of Hotelschool The Hague and has a decade of experience across acquisitions, asset management and advisory, having worked on hotel assets with a combined value exceeding $3 billion (£2.23 billion). Over the past year, Cain has also hired Neil Jacobs, former chief executive of Six Senses, and Ana Brant, the former executive vice-president of Wynn Resorts.

Lismore has promoted Chrissie Clancy-Crofts to senior surveyor in its Edinburgh-based team. She first worked at the firm in 2022 as part of a work experience programme while studying and then joined the firm in November 2024. In her new role, she will take on increased responsibility and help to support the firm's strategic initiatives. Her promotion comes as the business celebrates its sixth anniversary this year. She said: "I am thrilled to step into this new role at such an exciting time for Lismore. I have really had the opportunity to grow within the business and I look forward to continuing to support our clients and contributing to the firm’s bright future."