OBI, the commercial real estate consultancy responsible for 42% of the total office space transacted in Manchester city centre last year, has revealed that it is to launch a presence in Leeds.
Founded in 2010 by Will Lewis and Dominic Horridge, OBI’s landlord and occupier clients include Aviva Investors, Allied London, Bruntwood, Kinrise, Property Alliance Group, Booking.com, AO.com and The Hut Group (THG).
The consultancy said Leeds’s growing talent pool and ambitious development and regeneration plans is among the reasons behind its expansion into the West Yorkshire city.
OBI is to launch in Leeds by the end of the year, and with the move in mind, has already hired Rob Prescott from Cushman & Wakefield.
Will Lewis said Rob, a former Associate Director at Cushman & Wakefield, will play an integral part in the Leeds operation and that further Yorkshire-based staff appointments will be announced in due course.
He said: “Leeds is a vibrant and innovative city that attracts and retains many talented people and innovative businesses from across the north and beyond.
“OBI has been working towards opening operations in Leeds for some time and already has a number of landlord and occupier clients in the city.
“We feel our values of exceptional client service, hard work and innovation will be well received and with Rob already on board, are looking forward to an exciting new venture that aligns with our next phase of growth.”
OBI employs 32 people and provides advice to clients across its multi-discipline services, which include leasing and investment, office acquisitions, business relocations, interior design, project management and dilapidations. The collection of services is known as the ‘OBI Difference’.
Earlier this year the multi-award-winning real estate consultancy launched spin-off business Studio OBI, an integrated creative agency providing branding, marketing materials, online platforms, video and CGIs for its clients.
OBI also boasts its own online TV channel, OBI TV, as well as The OBI Journal, a twice-yearly published magazine covering the latest intelligence and insights on Manchester’s restaurants, property, fashion, tech and more.
Rob Prescott’s appointment comes after OBI won Regional Agency Team of the Year at the 2019 Property Awards in London.
Rob said: “I’m delighted to have joined OBI and am already fully focussed on working towards the Leeds launch later this year.
“I’m also part of OBI’s national transactions and management teams and couldn’t be more pleased to be working with so many talented colleagues and dynamic clients.”
