People: Gateley Legal; Fisher German; Avison Young

Gateley Legal has strengthened its specialist residential development team in Birmingham with the appointments of partner Natalie Edwards and legal director Laura Murphy, both joining from Eversheds Sutherland.

Edwards joins Gateley Legal following 25 years at Eversheds Sutherland where she spent the last two years as national head of residential development and co-head of its living sector group.

Throughout the last two decades, Edwards has built a strong reputation within the industry acting for housebuilders, promoters, landowners and master developers.

She boasts a wide range of expertise spanning immediate and strategic land development, sustainable urban extensions, large-scale consortium agreements and single-family Build-to-Rent (BTR) schemes.

Laura Murphy brings almost 20 years of experience to the team, with previous roles at Eversheds Sutherland and Shakespeare Martineau.

Murphy acts for national housebuilders and promoters on major residential development schemes across the UK, including immediate and strategic land acquisitions and promotion and development agreements.

Callum Nuttall, partner and national head of the residential development team at Gateley Legal said: “It’s brilliant to have Natalie and Laura on board with us in Birmingham. They bring impressive track records and will play valuable roles in servicing both new and long-term existing client relationships.

“Their appointments follow on from the recent hire of Simon Robinson – bringing our West Midlands team alone to a total of eight partners – and form part of strategic plans to bolster our specialist residential development offering nationally as we continue to deliver some of the biggest property and regeneration schemes across the country.”

Property consultancy Fisher German has announced a series of promotions across its West Midlands offices, recognising the contributions of 11 employees in Birmingham, Worcester, and Stafford.

At the Birmingham office in Colmore Row, Ashley Clews and Kevin Jinks have been named partners, while Kevin Koo becomes a systems accountant and Ellie Fletcher steps into the role of senior surveyor.

In Worcester, Lauren Allcoat, Sarah Hollis, and Molly Slatter have been promoted to associate partners.

Bill Davies becomes a senior surveyor, and Aimi Boaz takes on the role of senior lettings administrator.

Laura Whiting and Ruth Eyles in Stafford have both been promoted to senior surveyors.

Mike Price, head of commercial transactional said: “It is great to see how many people have progressed across all areas of the business in the West Midlands and beyond. This positions us to provide an even greater range of services for our clients.

“With these promotions and recent key hires, we are well-placed for further growth and are excited about the future prospects for the business.”

Richard Benson, senior partner said: “These promotions recognise the very best of our company and the hard work so many colleagues put in every day to add value for our clients.

“All of our promotions have been made against our ‘Grow’ Career Progression Framework, which gives our colleagues clear guidance for career advancement within the company – no matter what level they are at. Huge congratulations to all those promoted, it is thoroughly deserved and ensures that we continue to build for the future across our business.”

Global commercial real estate firm Avison Young has announced the appointment of Darnell Humes as an associate in its Business Rates team in the Midlands.

Humes joins Avison Young following seven years at the Valuation Office Agency, where he began his career as a graduate surveyor, before working his way up to a senior role as regional valuation Lead across the West of England and Wales.

In 2024, he was recognised at the Government Property Awards as a rising star, having contributed to an award-winning Government Property Equality & Diversity Shadow Board.

Darnell Humes

He is also a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and represented the Valuation Office at the Valuation Tribunal and Upper Tribunal, enabling the resolution of valuation disputes across the Midlands and beyond.

In his new role, he will be working alongside the team in the Midlands to advise clients on rating matters across the appeal regime of check, challenge and appeal.

He will also be supporting business development and managing client relationships, assessing new opportunities across Avison Young’s client base.

Humes said: “I’m very pleased to be joining Avison Young and for the opportunity to contribute to the great success of its well-established rating team.

“I’m looking forward to applying my expertise in resolving rating disputes and to collaborating with, and learning from, the brilliant team we have here in the Midlands. It’s an exciting time for the business and I’m eager to get started, working with the team on strategies and solutions to enable successful adaptations to the ever-changing ratings landscape.”

Mike Gill, head of business eates, Midlands at Avison Young UK said: “Avison Young has a specialist team of 25 experts in Birmingham, advising on all aspects of business rates. Our success has been built on delivering exceptional services and results to clients, as well as professional engagement with the relevant authorities.

“Darnell’s appointment is key for us, as we continue to evolve and refine our offer ahead of the next national revaluation in April 2026.”