Bruton Knowles partner recognised for use of geography
Dorian Wragg, a partner at chartered surveyors Bruton Knowles and head of its national commercial and professional services faculty, has attained Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society in recognition of his "extensive use of geographical expertise in professional practice".
Wragg, who is based at the firm's central Gloucester hub, leads teams providing multiple services including property management, commercial agency, investment, and lease advisory, while he specialises in managing complex, multi-sector property projects.
His inclusion to the RGS "acknowledges a body of work that consistently integrates geography with the commercial realities of urban development, estate management and environmental planning".
Wragg, a chartered surveyor since 1999 and a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors since 2024, said: "Geography is at the core of everything I do in my professional life from strategic land use and regeneration to energy planning and resource management. To be recognised by such a respected institution is very fulfilling."
Avison Young stalwart leaves for CBRE after 39 years
Long-time Avison Young employee Carl Potter has left the firm to lead CBRE's Midlands and South development team. Potter moves after 39 years at Avison Young during which he had stints as national head of office agency, managing director of the Birmingham office and chair of the UK executive committee. CBRE said the recruit has advised clients across the Midlands on transactions relating to some of the region’s highest profile developments. Potter will join Laura Loftus and James Carey, who are both former colleagues at Avison Young, Jack Jones and Jess Tovey in CBRE’s Birmingham development team.
Sanderson Weatherall recruits leading auctioneer
Property auction veteran Oliver Childs has joined Sanderson Weatherall as national head of property auctions. Childs previously served as managing director at BidX1 UK and as national head of auctions at Lambert Smith Hampton and has 30 years' experience. Sanderson Weatherall said he is a pioneer in online property auctions, having executed one of the first online sales of commercial real estate in the UK in 2015 for Severn Trent Water. David Rastrick, chief operating officer at Sanderson Weatherall, said: "His appointment will not only expand our reach in this growing sector but also deliver further significant value to our clients and partners."
Cushman & Wakefield appoints partner in Manchester
Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Sally Allsop as a partner in its national valuation and advisory team. Allsop will be based in its Manchester office where she will be part of the North West team led by Chad Davies. She will work across industrial, office and retail valuations. In her previous role, Allsop was an associate in the valuations team at Cluttons for around 5 years. During this time she focused on secured lending and helped grow the business’ presence in the north. Prior to this she worked at LSH alongside Davies. Cushman has also promoted Lucy Foulds to partner in Edinburgh and has hired Eleanor Furness as an associate in the retail valuations team.
Walker & Dunlop names EMEA capital markets co-head
Walker & Dunlop has expanded its London-based Europe, the Middle East and Africa office by hiring Aaron Knight as senior managing director, co-head of capital markets. The company said Knight will focus on sourcing debt and equity capital on behalf of clients throughout Europe and across asset classes, including build-to-rent, purpose-built student accommodation, logistics, office, retail, and alternatives, such as life sciences, self-storage, and data centres. He brings more than 20 years of experience in originating, structuring, and advising on commercial real estate debt products to the firm. He joins from JLL, where he was a director of debt and structured finance.
Harrison Street appoints portfolio manager
Harrison Street Asset Management has appointed Ivo de Wit as managing director of portfolio management. Based in London, De Wit will oversee portfolio management for the company's European open-ended core real estate strategy and be responsible for research and strategy, analytics, portfolio construction, and investment execution. De Wit was managing director at Goldman Sachs, where he led the European Core+ Real Estate strategy and developed the research and analytic capabilities. He started that role in April last year. His experience includes serving as the fund manager for CBRE's Global Alpha Fund.
Colliers recruits 43 to training programmes
"These professionals represent the future of our industry, and we’re committed to providing them with the skills, guidance and opportunities they need to thrive," said John Munday, Colliers’ UK CEO, as he welcomed 43 apprentices and graduates to the firm. The two 'Early Careers' programmes, of two or five years in length, will result in the group achieving chartered status through the RICS-accredited Assessment of Professional Competence. Colliers said the individuals will rotate through various property sector specialisms and advisory services available in the firm during their training, and will also receive mentorship from business leaders.