Bob Martin, group head of property at NFU Mutual, is to leave the insurance company at the end of June after 30 years to set up his own company, Martin Commercial Properties.
Martin’s Cheltenham-based firm will specialise in property asset management and development advice and also plans to undertake a number of developments or through joint ventures.
Martin will remain as property consultant to NFU Mutual’s £1bn fund and will also be retained as chairman of Salmon Harvester Properties and the £150m Salmon Harvester Properties Opportunity Fund.
Richard Topps, currently property investment manager at NFU Mutual, will take over as group head of property with effect from 1 July. He will take over responsibility for the property investment fund and NFU Mutual’s operational estate of over 1 million sq ft throughout the
Martin said: “Both SHP and the SHP Opportunity Fund have a great future with secured long term backing from NFU Mutual and I am very excited at the prospect of working more closely with the team to help them develop their plans going forward.”
Doug Stewart, chief executive of Salmon Harvester, said: “We are delighted to have secured Bob’s continued services for the future. His vision and direction have been instrumental in guiding Salmon Harvester for nearly 20 years.”
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
