Property People

As a region we have had some great recent publicity from events like Le Tour and the opportunities which the Northern Powerhouse initiative will bring are great. Certainly within Leeds, there is plenty of development taking place and there seems a real desire from outside and in to invest in the region.

What is the biggest project you have been involved in?

I have acted on a couple of large scale retail property portfolio acquisitions which involved the purchase of trading retail stores across the region and nationwide.

What is your favourite building in the region?

I have to say York Minster takes some beating. From a different perspective I think the Granary Wharf development is Leeds has been a real success and looks great.

If you could change one thing to improve the property indusry in the region, what would it be?

The real kick start for the property industry is demand for new space – be it office, industrial, retail or housing. As a region we could be much better at marketing ourselves and creating demand and reasons for new occupiers to come in to our cities and wider regions.

Whom do you admire most in the Yorkshire property industry?

Ian Ruthven who is MD at Barratts in the West Yorkshire region. I have had the pleasure of being involved in the local committee of the Kids Out Charity which Ian chairs. It organises a large scale event at Elland Road every year. He does such a great job at that on top of being very well respected in his day job.