The former national chair of Women in Property and Jones Lang LaSalle director of lease advisory in Manchester, Jean Godbert, has died after a long battle with cancer.
Godbert passed away last week at the age of 59 at East Cheshire Hospice after a long battle with cancer.
She began her commercial property career at Lambert Smith Hampton in London before moving to the North West to take up a role at Dunlop Heywood.
She joined JLL in 2001 where for many years she led the firm’s regional lease advisory teams outside of London.
A major player in the regional and national property market, her former roles include national chair of Women in Property, chair of the Junior Organisation of the Greater Manchester RICS and external examiner for Liverpool John Moores University.
She was also one of the North West’s most senior arbitrators, having been appointed on a number of complex cases in recent years.
Julian Sandbach, director, lease advisory at JLL in Manchester, said: “While Jean’s passing is very sad it is also a relief for her from the long fight she had been having against cancer. On several occasions she seemed to have won the battle with her strength and determination, but ultimately she lost the war.
“Jean was at the forefront of her market for most of her professional career, being not only a local and regional player but also nationally recognised in the lease advisory sector; a position recognised by the number of messages of condolence received from surveyors across the country.
“While she was not able to be in the office very often over the past year or so, she has always been a very important part of our team and was called upon for her guidance and expertise. She will be greatly missed by all her colleagues.
“Her husband, Robert passed away a few years ago. They leave children Kate, Jack and Guy and our thoughts are with them at this time.”
Her funeral is being held on Friday 31 May at Saint Philips Church, Alderley Edge, at 12.30pm.
nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
