Patrick Deigman, former chief executive of the Arlington Business Partnership, passed away last week after a long and brave battle with cancer, writes BNP Paribas Real Estate UK chief executive Andy Martin.
Patrick started his career working as a contractor building a sugar refinery in Sudan. On his return to the UK he joined Marler Estates working on assets across their holdings, including the iconic Chelsea football ground at Stamford Bridge.
He joined the emerging business park specialist Arlington Securities in 1984, working as a project director under the leadership of Raymond Mould and Patrick Vaughan. During the mid-1980s Arlington Securities grew, was listed on the London Stock Exchange, and expanded with the acquisition of Aztec West. Patrick took over the running of Arlington, now a subsidiary of BAE Systems, following the departure of Mould and Vaughan, who went on to create Pillar Properties.
In the years that followed, Patrick grew Arlington, further developing the BAE portfolio with key redundant land at sites such as Arlington Square Bracknell, Oxford Business Park, Hatfield Business Park, Filton Business Park, as well as new sites in Manchester in partnership with Manchester City Council.
In 1997, he engineered the sale of Arlington by BAE to create the Arlington Business Park Partnership with Pricoa, Adia and BAE, later joined by Legal & General taking BAE’s share and M&G as a unit holder.
Expansion into Europe added sites in Paris, Madrid and Barcelona and the Arlington portfolio swelled to 20m sq ft of developed and potential stock. Following this, an advisory role was undertaken for a new business park in Shanghai. Arlington acquired Aberdeen Property Investors, renamed it Arlington Property Investors before being reacquired several years later by Aberdeen.
Among Patrick’s proudest achievements was his work as development manager on the outstanding Paragon development (now known as the McLaren Technology Centre), for the McLaren racing team, during which he formed a lifelong friendship with Sir Ron Dennis.
In 2005, Arlington Securities and its interest in ABBP was acquired by Goodman of Australia.
Shortly thereafter Patrick’s career was cut short by a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. True to form he defied cancer, fighting bravely without complaint for 13 years, time he spent helping his family develop into the talented individuals they are today, and generously supporting a number of charities.
He is succeeded by his wife Vicky and children Nick, Emma, Ben and Laura and of course his beloved dog Suede.
Patrick Deigman: 1952 to 2019
