Sladen Estates recruits Simon Spencer for expansion drive

Industrial specialist Simon Spencer has joined developer Sladen Estates to head its new Birmingham office.   Spencer will spearhead Mansfield-based Sladen’s strategy to expand out of its traditional North East and East Midlands heartland and build a portfolio of industrial development land stretching from the M25 up to Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.   Although the former Prologis and Astral director declined to confirm how much money Sladen had to spend, he said: “We’re financially resourced and see now as a good time to expand and secure new opportunities. We’re not geographically limited and would like to enter in to joint ventures where the opportunity arises.”   Sladen is known for carrying out its projects in joint ventures. It provides development and procurement expertise with jv partners providing the finance.   The bulk of its schemes are funded by Peveril Securities, the development arm of construction group Bowmer & Kirkland.   Spencer is well known in the Midlands’ market for his stints at Prologis, Astral and initially as the former head of industrial at Knight Frank’s Birmingham office. He left Prologis in 2008 to set-up his own development consultancy firm Isis Land which will continue.   Sladen’s new office is located at Colmore Plaza on Colmore Circus. lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com