Scottish firm with £500m asset management portfolio expands into Manchester

Scottish commercial property consultant Ryden has expanded into Manchester as part of a strategy to grow its presence in England.

The Edinburgh-headquartered company’s new North West office will be led by Andrew Richardson, former head of the northern development and investment team at outsourcing group Capita.

Andrew’s experience as an investment agent in the region includes the purchase of the one million sq ft J7 Business Park Accrington and the acquisition and sale of more than 30 commercial properties in central Manchester.

The office opening follows the launch of a London base in December 2016 through a merger with with property investment specialist Mason Philips, and expansion in Leeds in 2015 through a merger with asset manager Hill Woolhouse.

With its teams in Manchester and London operational, Ryden has forecast its English investment activity to increase five-fold over the next two years and overall business south of the border to grow by more than 30% in five years.

Bill Duguid, managing partner at Ryden, said: “This new Manchester office reinforces our drive to expand our presence in England.

“Our aim is to provide clients across the UK with access to the partner-level expert advice we are known for.”

He continued: “We have already completed £12m of investment purchases for clients in the Yorkshire area in Q1 of this financial year and currently have over £500m worth of property assets under management in England.

“London and Manchester are arguably the UK’s most active property markets and represent huge opportunities for Ryden and our clients.”

Andrew Richardson commented: “It is a great time to be joining Ryden and becoming part of an investment team with ambitious growth plans across the UK.

“My experience of commercial property transactions in the North West complements Ryden’s well established presence in the North East and growing office in London.”

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