The fourth partner to join Paul Smith, David Hanrahan and John Olney as they set up their new West End niche practice was revealed this week as Rob Hayes, head of CB Richard Ellis’s West End business team.
Hayes, 42, is resigning from CBRE, where he has spent 18 years since joining from Morgan Grenfell Laurie.
He currently manages CBRE’s West End investment team, but spent nine years working in leasing when he first joined the company.
He now joins DTZ director and office agent Smith, King Sturge equity partner Hanrahan, who specialises in investment, and Olney, a partner at niche investment agent Lewis Ellis. All handed in their notices in June.
The new multi-disciplinary firm is preparing for a launch in September and is understood to be close to agreeing terms on an office on Savile Row, W1.
Helen Perrott and Edward Betts, both from DTZ’s West End agency team, resigned in June to join the new niche agency. It is expected that a professional team will also be drafted into the new firm once it has become established.
Question marks remain over when Hanrahan will join the business as, under current arrangements, he is required to remain at King Sturge until April next year.
A CBRE spokesman said: “In the context of an extraordinarily strong London team, which has been augmented by some senior hires over the past couple of years, it would be inappropriate to stand in Rob’s way if he wants to pursue other career options.
“We wish him well, and look forward to the possibility of working together in the future.”
