People: CBRE; LGT Wealth Management; Grant Thornton

CBRE, the global real estate consultancy, has promoted nine staff at its Birmingham office.

Dan Grigg, who works in the rating team, Stuart Eustace, head of residential capital markets, and Lydia Dutton, regional sustainability lead, have been promoted from director to senior director.

Grigg joined CBRE in 2012 as the national industrial and logistics lead for rating, he specialises in minimising business rate liabilities for developers, landlords and occupiers in the industrial and logistics sector.

Eustace has been with CBRE since 2019, as head of the residential capital markets team in Birmingham, he advises investors and developers on build-to-rent and open-market sale housing schemes.

Dutton joined CBRE’s ESG Consultancy team in 2022, with responsibility for driving the firm’s environmental and sustainability agenda in the regions. She advises investors, developers and occupiers on the development and implementation of their ESG strategies.

CBRE has also promoted Alex Crawshaw and Ryan Woodcock, who both work in property management and Mark McFadden, planning and development, to the director, while Jeevan Duggal, Adnan Ijaz and Laura Sinstadt have been promoted to data enablement lead, associate engineer and senior surveyor respectively.

Will Ventham, head of CBRE’s Birmingham office, said: “The promotions recognise the individual achievements and collective contribution each person has made to the business, while also demonstrating the strength and breadth of talent and experience we have in the Birmingham office. CBRE places great importance on investing in its people and I’m pleased all eight have been rewarded with their respective promotions.”

 

LGT Wealth Management has announced the appointment of Rory Whitmore as investment manager in its Birmingham office.

Whitmore joins LGT Wealth Management with over nine years of experience in investment management.

He was previously an investment director with Evelyn Partners, where he worked directly with clients, managing a diverse range of assets on their behalf.

Rory Whitmore

Before that, he held roles in risk management at two global insurance brokers.

In his new role, he will work with a broad range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, professionals, families, corporations, trusts, charities, and Court of Protection cases.

He will be particularly focused on supporting entrepreneurs before and after liquidity events, leveraging his expertise in managing wealth through significant financial transitions.

Whitmore holds a degree in Economics and Politics and is a Chartered Wealth Manager (MA level). He has also earned the CFA Investment Management Certificate and a diploma in insurance.

Andrew Davies, partner and head of regions at LGT Wealth Management, said: “Our distinctive private ownership structure ensures we can commit to making long-term investments around the country, even as others centralise their services. Bringing on board highly experienced professionals like Rory strengthens our team in Birmingham, ensuring that we can maintain the highest standards of service for our clients across the Midlands.”

 

Accountancy and business advisory firm Grant Thornton has promoted Jess Fountain to partner, where she is one of the leaders of the Midlands-based tax team.

Fountain has been with the firm for eight years and works extensively with privately owned and private equity-backed clients advising on acquisitions, disposals, and expansion strategies.

Matt Buckingham and Jess Fountain

She specialises in being a trusted adviser to growing businesses, supporting them to navigate the often complex tax landscape as their business develops.

She said: “I spend most of my time supporting businesses to achieve their strategic goals, so it feels great to have achieved one of my own personal goals. The last eight years have shot by, and Grant Thornton’s empowering culture has helped me greatly in my progression. This is a people-friendly environment, where everything is focused on creating the right conditions for you to excel in your role.”

 “Anyone who makes it to partner understands that the achievement reflects a great deal of hard work, dedication, and commitment. I hope other women pursuing careers in finance receive the same level of support I have enjoyed. I was somewhat anxious about how pregnancy and motherhood might impact my career, but Grant Thornton reassured me throughout the process.”

Matt Buckingham, practice leader of Grant Thornton in the Midlands, said: “Jess is a gifted professional advisor who makes a valuable contribution to everything we are doing in one of the most dynamic parts of the marketplace. Grant Thornton places a huge focus on ensuring we have an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone has an opportunity to thrive, regardless of gender, ethnic or socio-economic background, sexual orientation or neurodiversity.

“It is particularly pleasing that Jess joined our Partnership team whilst on maternity leave. Jess further strengthens our local senior leadership team which is focussed on delivery a full service offering to our clients.”

 

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