GN2 restructures management team

GN2, the boutique London property agency business, is restructuring its management team as it readies the business for a major expansion to coincide with a turning point in the market. GN2, which was formed in 2012, is a specialist in the London property market, advising both occupiers and investors and is hiring Hugo Knight from Cluttons West End Office.

The firm is now in the hands of three equity partners; Charles Godfrey, Julie Rees and Paul Aubery, a capital markets expert, with the investment department headed by Tim Warren. This follows the retirement from the practice of Nigel Vaughan and Mike MacKeith. The firm of seven property professionals has set itself the task of at least doubling in size to fifteen professionals in 2018 and is starting this drive with the appointment of Knight, who will be joining GN2 in June.

Charles Godfrey said: “We have seen two years of decline in the market and the smart businesses and investors are now positioning themselves for a recovery in activity. We have already seen considerable investment from Asia and this is expected to be followed by US investors and businesses in the near future.

“This is a very exciting time for GN2. We are driving for growth at what we believe is a turning point of the market. With the commitment of the three founding Partners we are at last able to expand the business in all our areas of expertise including investment, agency, professional and corporate advisory services.

“We will shortly be announcing a number of signature property deals which underscore our growing footprint across London.”

GN2 has a reputation for advising both UK and overseas investors, many of whom are committing offshore funds to take advantage of London’s attractive property markets as a consequence of the favourable exchange rate.

It has also built up a strong reputation advising landlords in both the West End and City including acting for landed estates, including the Howard de Walden Estate, where it recently advised on the largest medical letting in the West End, comprising 55,000 sq ft at 66 Wigmore Street W1 to the Schoen Klinik.

The firm is also working with many new landlords and occupiers and is developing particular expertise in the medical sector. Following on from the letting at 66 Wigmore Street, GN2 now has a number of new appointments to advise medical companies taking new space in the West End.

In addition the firm advises corporate occupiers across central London providing both marketing and financial structuring advice on their properties. Recently GN2 advised law firm Wedlake Bell on its acquisition of 41,000 sq ft of new office space at 71, Queen Victoria Street EC4, whilst subletting 7,500 sq ft and disposing of 23,000 sq ft in their former offices at 52 Bedford Row.

It is also currently advising Charles Taylor, the UK insurance giant on its requirement for a new City of London HQ of up to 80,000 sq ft of offices, consolidating the firms existing four London offices into one, to accommodate up to 800 staff.