Leading independent property expert, GVA has appointed renowned property professional Chris Kershaw to its industrial team as a Director, with a focus to assist in the expansion of the business’s national corporate industrial portfolio.
Chris, who will be based in GVA’s Midlands office in Birmingham, brings to the role over 30 years of industry experience in the commercial property market, including 20 years as a partner at Gerald Eve.
Chris was also Partner in charge of their Birmingham office from 2003, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Midlands’ commercial property landscape.
Throughout his career, Chris has accumulated significant experience with corporate occupiers, having previously worked with major international brands across the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Ian Stringer, Regional Senior Director, GVA, said: “Chris is a highly respected and well liked figure both within the Midlands and wider national context and brings an extraordinary level of expertise in the industrial and distribution sector.
“Chris’s extensive experience with industrial corporate occupiers will be of great benefit to the automotive and advanced manufacturing initiative that is being spearheaded by our Midlands office, as well as identifying and connecting with wider corporate occupiers throughout the region.”
Chris will be working alongside Director David Willmer, Mark Fitzpatrick and Tesni Thacker in the Midlands industrial and distribution team, with a focus on a number of key, high-profile accounts including Ignis Asset Management, Cornerstone, and Aberdeen Asset Management.
Chris said: “This role offers a great opportunity to enhance GVA’s existing industrial portfolio and continue to drive this sector of the business forward.
“GVA has a strong and well defined industrial team both on a national level and particularly in the Midlands, which provides a great platform from which we can highlight our services and create new opportunities for growth.
“Given my experience in the automotive, distribution and manufacturing sectors, all of which are key growth areas within the Midlands, this appointment feels like a very natural fit and I am looking forward to working on new opportunities and enhancing existing instructions.”
Chris is a member of the Industrial Agents Society, Office Agents Society, Investment Property Forum, and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR European Chapter).
GVA’s industrial team offers expertise across the industrial and distribution property spectrum, supplying services as diverse as agency, development, planning, building and project management, rating, valuation, investment, property management, occupier consultancy, corporate recovery and lease consultancy.
Nationally, GVA’s industrial team lets, sells or acquires around 13 million sq ft of space each year, encompassing property ranging from national warehouse and distribution space, to regional distribution centres, research and development facilities, and sub-assembly plants.