Forsters appoints new head of commercial real estate

Law firm Forsters has appointed  Victoria Towers as its new head of commercial real estate. Towers, a partner and co-head of the firm’s industrial and logistics team, will now take on leadership of Forsters’ commercial real estate practice, heading a team of more than 120 lawyers specialising solely in real estate. She takes over from Andrew Crabbie, who has held the position for five years. After 26 years with Forsters, Crabbie is taking a sabbatical and will be returning to the business full-time in January 2025. In her new role, Towers will work in tandem with fellow co-head of Forsters’ industrial and logistics team Magnus Hassett, who is group managing partner for commercial real estate.  While Towers will continue to lead the industrials and logistics team with Hassett, her new role will focus on growing key client relationships and new business development, leading the firm’s strategy in pursuing new opportunities and enhancing its competitive edge in a fast-changing real estate landscape. “It is a tremendous privilege to take on this new role, particularly at such as an exciting time for a rapidly evolving industry with so many challenges and opportunities,” said Towers. “Developers and landowners are relying on trusted legal advisers to help them navigate new legislation and processes in areas such as building safety, biodiversity net gain, renewable energy and planning. I am proud to lead such an incredibly talented team of people, which is well placed to continue and accelerate the growth of our multi-disciplinary, cross-sector practice.” Emily Exton, Forsters’ managing partner, added: “Alongside our comprehensive understanding of the market and our expert advice, it is our collegiate, diverse and inclusive working culture, rooted in collaboration and performance, which is in the DNA of Forsters and sets us apart from our peers. Victoria personifies this spirit and is the natural successor to Andrew, building on the work he has done to grow and establish Forsters as one of the market’s leading dedicated real estate practices.” A partner of the firm since 2012, Towers specialises in all aspects of development transactions, including forward funding, while also acting on investment acquisitions and disposals, asset management, restructuring work and corporate-driven transactions. Her client list includes institutions, pension funds, property companies, charities and private developers. She also leads Forsters’ client-facing ESG offering across its wider real estate team, working strategically with clients to ensure that their portfolios can achieve or exceed the targets set by the government. Photo courtesy of FTI Consulting