Property firm makes senior appointment

Harrogate-based Lateral Property Group has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Sylvia Bowden as chief operating officer.

Sylvia brings unique cross-boundary experience of the UK commercial property industry to the group, which operates in the UK food store, retail, restaurant and leisure sectors.

Prior to joining Lateral, Sylvia held several senior roles across the property and financial sectors. She was east regional head of structured property finance with Clydesdale Bank until December 2011 and relationship director with Barclays Capital until December 2006.

Earlier in her career she headed up a Yorkshire-based construction and commercial development company and the Hanover Property Unit Trust, a co-founder of a chartered surveying practice bought by Savills.

Speaking of her new appointment, Sylvia said: “I was impressed by the results that Lateral has delivered, both for themselves and their corporate and private equity partners. The calibre and sheer creativity of the Lateral team is driving a winning strategy for operating effectively in this cyclical industry.

“This is clearly demonstrated by their track record to date and their pipeline of 350,000 sq ft comprising over £100 million of developments over the next two years – an activity level ahead of our peer group.”

Steven Redshaw, joint managing director of Lateral, added: “Sylvia is a superb addition to Lateral, enhancing our already strong and creative team of property investment and development professionals. Her experience and expertise are second-to-none and she will play a key role in the future direction of the business.”

Lateral, which also has an office in London, has completed 27 developments, refurbishments and acquisitions comprising 250,000 sq ft since 2008. The company works with retailers including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Pizza Express and Jamie’s Italian.