Avison Young expands Place Advisory team in London

Global real estate advisor Avison Young has expanded its UK Place Advisory offer with a senior promotion and three new appointments from JLL, strengthening its regeneration and development advisory capability nationwide.

Nicola Rigby has been promoted to head of place strategy, moving into a national role after more than five years as a principal in the firm’s Manchester Place Advisory team. 

With over 22 years at Avison Young, Nicola will lead the firm’s place strategy offer across the UK, supporting growth plans and reinforcing its position as a regeneration advisor to both public and private sector clients.

Nicola said: “I am really excited to grow our Place Strategy business nationally, building on an established and trusted team and on the momentum we are creating in London with Laira, Hannah and others joining to strengthen our development advisory offer in London and the South East.  

“It means we can offer clients a more connected approach to place strategy, combining experience and perspective from across the firm to help them shape places that deliver for people, businesses, and wider communities.” 

Alongside Nicola’s promotion, Avison Young has welcomed three new hires to its London Place Advisory team. 

Laira Roberts joins as principal to lead the firm’s development advisory offer in the capital, supported by Hannah Noble as director and Emily Gibson as senior surveyor.

Laira joins from JLL, where she was senior director and head of development and regeneration for London and the South East. 

She brings more than 25 years’ experience advising on complex regeneration and development projects across the region.

Laira added: “Joining Avison Young at a point of growth makes this a particularly exciting time. 

“The strength of the team and the ambition behind the Place Advisory offer create a strong platform for taking on complex development and regeneration work. 

“I’m very pleased to be part of a business that is investing in its people and platform, thinking beyond individual sites and focusing on outcomes that will shape the future of places.” 

The new London team has been created to build a best-in-class development and place advisory offer in the capital, complementing Avison Young’s established teams across the UK.

The expansion follows the appointment of Jasmine Ceccarelli-Drewry as director in London in October last year, as Avison Young continues to evolve its place strategy capability, with a growing focus on regeneration, development and social impact across the lifecycle of projects.

Jo Davis, principal, managing director, place and UK executive chair at Avison Young, added: “This is a significant step forward for our Place Advisory business, as the challenges and opportunities facing places continue to evolve. 

“Expanding the team with the arrival of Laira, Hannah and Emily, with a focus on London and the South East, as well as the promotion of Nicola to a national role, brings together a broader mix of experience and insight, allowing us to combine strategic thinking with practical delivery. 

“It reinforces our commitment to investing in our capability and ensuring clients receive best-in-class support that is well considered and grounded in how projects actually move forward, with a particular focus on London and the South East – and with more new hires to be announced soon.” 

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