Allsop & Co has poached four surveyors from Chesterton, including northern regional director Andrew Wells, to open a residential-only Leeds office.
The Allsop office in Leeds will open in May, marking a departure for the group, whose other wholly owned businesses are in London.
Andrew Wells has resigned at Chesterton to head the office as a salaried partner.
Wells, 38, an expert in residential development and valuation, will take with him three Chesterton colleagues: Nigel Tapp, Andrew Hunt and Douglas Wenn.
Allsop’s Tim Theakston, who head’s the firm’s residential investment division, said: “It represents a strategic move for growth within sectors in which we are already strong. We do a considerable amount of business in the North of England and recognised that a physical presence there would be of great benefit.”
Wells said: “I have been with Chesterton for 18 years, Allsop made an attractive offer and the time has come to make a career move. Northern residential is attracting a lot of interest now, especially as the London market overheats.”
Wells will be replaced by Chris Pearson, who will be promoted from director-in-charge of agency in the firm’s Newcastle office. He will be responsible for the company’s operations in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.
Jeff Pearey’s promotion to director-in-charge of the Leeds office, which was due to take place in April, has been brought forward and will have immediate effect.
Tony McKay, managing director of Chesterton’s commercial division, said: “We are sorry to see Andrew go, and his departure has meant restructuring. It shouldn’t make any difference to the business.
“In nearly 16 years with Chesterton, Chris Pearson has accumulated a considerable wealth of experience of the agency and investment markets, both in London and the North. We are confident that our northern region will continue to prosper under his leadership.”
EGi News 19/02/02
