Two new directors have joined the board of the Midlands branch of the Investment Property Forum (IPF).
Richard Round is relationship director in Lloyds Bank’s commercial real estate team, based in Birmingham.
He is responsible for client relationship management and origination across the Midlands region, providing funding solutions that include Lloyds Bank’s balance sheet loans, debt capital markets expertise and longer-term debt via Scottish Widows.
Richard works with some of the region’s largest property developers and investors and has led some of the region’s most significant transactions, including financing to A&J Mucklow of £40m and Custodian REIT of £45m.
Jonathan Brice is a senior surveyor in the capital markets team at the Birmingham office of CBRE, advising on the acquisition and disposal of commercial property across the Midlands.
Jonathan has been involved in some of the highest profile transactions in the Midlands, including the sale of the Brindleyplace estate on behalf of Hines & Lonestar; the acquisition of 55 Temple Row, Birmingham; and the disposal of the forward commitment of the circa 780,000 sq ft Euro Car Parts distribution hub at Birch Coppice. He sits on the CBRE junior board, and is involved in the Birmingham office’s CSR programme.
The IPF is the UK’s leading membership organisation for property investment professionals. It was established in 1988, with the aim of enhancing the understanding and efficiency of property as an investment through research, education and debate. The Midlands region was set up in 2000 with just 25 members. It now boasts more than 200.
The Midlands board delivers opportunities for informal networking, a sell-out annual lunch and dinner, as well as a high quality seminar programme, including both national and Midlands’ insights into the annual results from De Montfort University’s commercial lending market research and MSCI’s (formerly Investment Property Databank) investment performance analysis.
The board is chaired by Darren Williamson, a partner and national head of real estate at law firm Freeths.
Darren said: “Richard and Jon are high profile members of the commercial property community in Birmingham and bring with them a wealth of industry contacts and insight. Getting them on the IPF Midlands board not only helps us with market focus but also shows the commitment to the Midlands board continually evolving. They are great additions.”