BE News

The BE News team had an enjoyable day out yesterday at The Tech, Data and AI Forum, organised by MRI Software in partnership with British Property Federation. The free event brought together real estate owners, operators and investors to discuss how property tech, data strategy and AI tools are supporting teams to work smarter, make more informed business decisions and deliver exceptional customer service. The forum featured a host of industry experts who delivered keynote speeches and participated in lively panel discussions, expertly chaired by BE News editor-in-chief Liz Hamson. Conversations around the use of AI in the real estate sector were particularly fascinating - and scary!

CBRE has appointed Irvinder Goodhew from Alvarez & Marshall as managing director for UK sectors, effective from 10 March 2025.

Scannell Properties and Royal London Asset Management have secured planning consent for a 500,000 sq ft industrial and logistics scheme in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Verdion has let 414,829 sq ft to two new occupiers at its iPort multimodal logistics hub, which is located just outside Doncaster. GV&Co, CBRE and Colliers are the retained letting agents for iPort.

Life Science REIT has let 5,100 sq ft of fully fitted space at Rolling Stock Yard in London’s Knowledge Quarter to CFDX. The precision neuroscience company, which uses AI to detect dementia, has signed an eight-year lease taking occupancy at Rolling Stock Yard to 100%.

Sirius Real Estate has acquired Earl Mill business park in Oldham for £5.7m in a deal reflecting a net initial yield of 13.9%.

Wavensmere Homes has secured a £20m development loan from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for its Canalside South regeneration scheme in Wolverhampton. Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the £150m redevelopment of the 17.5-acre former industrial site, which was established by City of Wolverhampton Council and Canal & River Trust, will see more than 530 new energy-efficient homes delivered.

Colliers has appointed Jonathan F. as head of Birmingham city centre offices. Fear, who has more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience, previously held senior roles with organisations such as Severn Trent Water, Cannock Developments and St Modwen, which is now owned by Blackstone.

Town Centre Securities PLC has let 11,000 sq ft to events operator The Glee Club at its 123 Albion Street development in the heart of Leeds city centre. Louise Larking, director at Fox Lloyd Jones, negotiated the letting.

Newly launched real estate lender Firma Partners has completed its first transaction. The firm has provided a facility to property developer McGrath Group to support the £40m acquisition and development of a residential-led scheme in Brentford, West London, with a GDV of more than £200m. Firma Partners provides specialised flexible capital for mid-to-large-scale investments and developments across the living sector and is led by chief executive Victor Librae, managing director Arrif Ali and head of credit Michael McMahon.