LandSec poaches DTZ’s Evans

Land Securities has poached DTZ director Jonathan Evans for a new role heading up asset and property management of its London business division. The appointment will see Robert Heskett handover his role as head of London asset management at the UK’s largest property company to Evans. Heskett, who has been with the company for 30 years, will stay at LandSec until at least the end of 2009 working on the plans for the demerger of the London business. Evans will join the REIT on 1 June and will focus on driving investment returns on an £8bn portfolio in the combined role. For the past two years he has led the inward investment team at DTZ having previously been in charge of the agent’s West End business team. In November last year LandSec announced plans to carve up its £15bn portfolio and Trillium outsourcing arm into three separate vehicles. Trillium could be sold ahead of a demerger following a number of offers, while a specialist London REIT and a retail REIT will be created. Mike Hussey, managing director of the London Business, said: “Jonathan joining is a great coup for the business and his role will be vital in ensuring that not only are our assets working well for us as investments but that they are also working well for our occupiers.  “He has more than 22 years of central London commercial property experience and this will serve him well in what be an exciting and challenging role.” “Robert has been an invaluable colleague and Management Board member of the London business. His tireless efforts in the last few years mean we have a solid base from which we can grow the business in the future.  As we look forward to the prospect of being a separate stand alone business it is great to know that Robert will be part of the team to help us get there.” Evans said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to join a major organisation that I have dealt with for many years and admired.” John Forrester, DTZ head of Central London markets, said: “I have worked closely with Jonathan during his entire time at DTZ and enjoyed every minute.  His versatility and willingness to take on new challenges has clearly been spotted by Land Securities. “The remaining director team of Simon Ewart-Perks and Ben Cook under the leadership of our head of Central London Investment, Colin Wilson, will continue to provide investment product and services to our fast growing international investor base.” bridget.oconnell@rbi.co.uk