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Montagu Evans to appoint new managing partner as Bower steps down

News

Pui-Guan Man

13 May 2024

Montagu Evans managing partner Rob Bower is set to step down at the end of March 2025, with a process under way to appoint his successor.

The firm said it had appointed external consultants at PSFI to “help shape the future” of its business, which will take into account partners’ views and client feedback.

Bower has worked for the agency for nearly 30 years. When he leaves next year, he will have served in the leadership role for a decade.

The nominations process for his replacement is already under way. The firm expects to name his successor this summer, with the role formally starting on 1 April 2025 after a structured transition period.

Bower said that in the past 10 years the firm had expanded its ranks significantly and its sector focus on living, industrial and logistics and healthcare, particularly across London and Scotland. The firm is also delivering “significant, transformative schemes across the country”.

“As with any leadership role, there have been some tough decisions to make too, with Brexit, Covid and the market downturn from mid-2022,” he added.

“We have had to get through challenging markets and unprecedented global upheaval, especially in the last few years, and I suspect their impacts are not yet fully over. Changes to our business have never been made lightly and we continue to take sensible decisions that are in the best interest of our partnership as a whole and, notwithstanding short-term challenges, will set our leaders on a stronger course for the years ahead.”

Bower said stepping down from the role would “mean the chance to recharge after an intense few years, and then to pursue a portfolio career within the real estate sector”.

“There is still more to do,” he said. “Right now, though, we are focused on ensuring as little disruption as possible to our teams and clients as they continue to do what they do best and we set up the partnership for its next phase of growth.

“Change brings opportunity, and I am looking forward to keeping in touch and seeing what our next generation has to offer as they build on our legacy further in the many years ahead.”

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Montagu Evans managing partner Rob Bower is set to step down at the end of March 2025, with a process under way to appoint his successor. The firm said it had appointed external consultants at PSFI to “help shape the future” of its business, which will take into account partners’ views and client feedback. Bower has worked for the agency for nearly 30 years. When he leaves next year, he will have served in the leadership role for a decade. The nominations process for his replacement is already under way. The firm expects to name his successor this summer, with the role formally starting on 1 April 2025 after a structured transition period. Bower said that in the past 10 years the firm had expanded its ranks significantly and its sector focus on living, industrial and logistics and healthcare, particularly across London and Scotland. The firm is also delivering “significant, transformative schemes across the country”. “As with any leadership role, there have been some tough decisions to make too, with Brexit, Covid and the market downturn from mid-2022,” he added. “We have had to get through challenging markets and unprecedented global upheaval, especially in the last few years, and I suspect their impacts are not yet fully over. Changes to our business have never been made lightly and we continue to take sensible decisions that are in the best interest of our partnership as a whole and, notwithstanding short-term challenges, will set our leaders on a stronger course for the years ahead.” Bower said stepping down from the role would “mean the chance to recharge after an intense few years, and then to pursue a portfolio career within the real estate sector”. “There is still more to do,” he said. “Right now, though, we are focused on ensuring as little disruption as possible to our teams and clients as they continue to do what they do best and we set up the partnership for its next phase of growth. “Change brings opportunity, and I am looking forward to keeping in touch and seeing what our next generation has to offer as they build on our legacy further in the many years ahead.”