FHP Property Consultants has promoted two of its rising stars as an increasing amount of work from major clients drives its national expansion.
Frankie Labbate, a surveyor in the firm’s market-leading retail and leisure department, and Jessica Hand, who holds a key role in the expanding professional services team, have both become associate directors.
Frankie and Jessica have played a key part in driving the substantial growth in the amount of work which FHP is carrying out on behalf of major names in the retail and property industries – work which means that the Midlands-based business is now responsible for property acquisitions and professional advice across the country.
Their promotion coincides with the 25th anniversary year of the business, and David Hargreaves, one of FHP’s founder-directors, says they are at the forefront of a renewed expansion drive brought on by the property market’s return to health.
He commented: “Frankie and Jess sum up what we’re really about. Both of them are ambitious, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for clients who expect us to be proactive and add value to our relationships. They have grown into their roles at FHP and I’m confident that we will see further expansion as a result.”
Frankie, who took a real estate management degree at Nottingham Trent University, began his career in property in the estates division at Nottingham City Council. He joined FHP in 2011, becoming part of a retail and leisure team that has played a key part in helping Nottingham maintain and develop its status as a national shopping destination.
“I basically bombarded FHP with letters until a vacancy came up because they are the best in the business,” he said. “I joined the retail agency team in 2011, when it was a tough market and a steep learning curve. But that is the best way to develop your skills and experience.”
Having proved himself by driving lettings in town centre high streets, Frankie took on the marketing of city centre pitches like Flying Horse Walk and Bridlesmith Walk, securing deals which brought in a series of innovative independent tenants such as Stick & Ribbon, White Rabbit Tea Rooms and Apalts.
He is now spearheading the expansion of FHP’s retail acquisitions work, finding and acquiring new sites for high-profile retail brands like Morrisons (East Midlands and East Anglia), Peacocks (East and West Midlands), Edinburgh Woollen Mills, Specsavers and Ponden Home Interiors (all East Midlands and East Anglia), and has recently secured the mandate for acquisitions for Peacocks in the North and North-West.
Frankie added: “FHP’s retail acquisitions work has accelerated substantially over the last year and the target now is to strengthen our position and bring more clients on board. We have demonstrated that we can deliver for some high-profile clients and that has expanded our reach across the country.”
Jessica Hand, who is also promoted to associate director, joined FHP in 2010 after supplementing her accounting and finance degree with a Masters in property and development at Nottingham Trent University.
“I’d done work experience with commercial surveyors when I was younger and I knew I wanted to work in property,” she said. “I was looking for a commercial valuation role because it was an area I was really keen on and FHP has a very strong reputation for its professional work.”
Joining the firm as a graduate surveyor, she soon began to specialise in professional advice on business rates, working with retailers and shopping centre owners.
“It has been a difficult climate for retail and retail property over the past few years and there is a significant appetite for professional advice which can reduce costs and improve returns,” Jessica explained. “But to do that you need not only the technical expertise but the depth of market knowledge that is going to prove persuasive with the Valuation Office Agency.
“That means being proactive – getting out there, visiting the sites, talking to the retailers and understanding the local factors that affect their performance. I stay in touch with my clients daily, attend their management meetings and dig down into what is happening in their different markets. This is where you spot the opportunities to secure a better deal for them.”
Jessica now leads on the development of business rates work for shopping centres and retailers, but is also carrying out an increasing amount of work for fire and rescue authorities, who have been facing substantial financial challenges as a result of public sector retrenchment.
Jessica explained: “Fire authorities face difficult financial challenges and we have been able to demonstrate that careful examination of their property portfolios can often yield significant savings.”
She added: “More clients are aware of the need to manage their property commitments dynamically and we have the specialist knowledge to help them do that. I’m expecting further national expansion for FHP as a result.”
