Boutique London property agency GN2 is restructuring its management team as it readies the business for a major expansion to coincide with what it sees as a “turning point” in the market.
The firm of seven aims to double in size to 15 staff in 2018 and has hired Hugo Knight, a surveyor from Cluttons West End office, who joins this month.
Formed in 2012,GN2 advises both occupiers and investors on the London market and markets itself as having a strong international reach. The firm has three equity partners: Charles Godfrey, Julie Rees and Paul Aubery (a capital markets expert) with the investment department headed by Tim Warren. This follows the retirement from the practice of Nigel Vaughan and Mike MacKeith. The firm says it plans to capitalise on current market uncertainty to attract new talent and its recruitment drive is a response to increasing demand by clients for experienced advisers.
Godfrey said: “We have seen two years of decline in the market and the smart businesses and investors are now positioning themselves for a recovery in activity. We have already seen considerable investment from Asia and this is expected to be followed by US investors and businesses in the near future.”
He added, “This is a very exciting time for GN2. We are driving for growth at what we believe is a turning point of the market. With the commitment of the three founding partners we are at last able to expand the business in all our areas of expertise including investment, agency, professional and corporate advisory services. We will shortly be announcing a number of signature property deals which underscore our growing footprint across London.”
GN2 advises both UK and overseas investors – many of whom it says are committing offshore funds to take advantage of London’s property markets as a consequence of the favourable exchange rate. It has also advised landlords in the West End and City including the Howard de Walden Estate, where it recently advised on the largest medical letting in the West End, comprising 55,000 sq ft at 66 Wigmore Street, W1 to the Schoen Klinik.
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