Today, Argent announces it has appointed Nick Searl and Robert Evans as joint Managing Partners of the management business Argent (Property Development) Services LLP. The partnership team has also been bolstered by Morwenna Hall, Chief Operating Officer, and Tom Goodall, Head of Argent Related Residential, being made Partners.
Nick and Robert will replace Anna Strongman who leaves the business in September 2020 to become CEO of the Oxford University Development, a joint venture between Oxford University and Legal & General.
Robert has been with Argent for over 20 years while Nick has been with the company for almost 13 years. Between them they bring a broad range of experience, skills and strong relationships with the various partners and investors in their developments.
The wider partnership team of eight also has in-depth knowledge and experience, having delivered flagship regeneration schemes, including King’s Cross in London, Brindleyplace in Birmingham and Manchester’s Piccadilly. Nick and Robert will lead a team of over 180 talented people which has grown rapidly to deliver and operate current and future projects.
The business undertakes the development and asset management at King’s Cross, working for the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP) investors, including AustralianSuper and Federated Hermes. At Paradise, in Birmingham, the business works with Federated Hermes and Birmingham City Council.
On the new long term developments at Brent Cross South and Tottenham Hale, it manages these on behalf of Argent Related which brings together the Argent team and Related Companies, the most prominent, privately owned real estate firm in the US, responsible for Hudson Yards and major flagship assets and developments. Argent Related will continue to consider new opportunities that take advantage of their combined experience and skill sets.
The combined pipeline of the developments Argent Services LLP currently manages includes 8,855 new homes, 6.2 million sq ft of new office space plus a range of other uses including schools, leisure and experiential retail.
In addition to his role as joint Managing Partner, Robert Evans will continue leading the King’s Cross Estate and Nick Searl will continue to lead the Brent Cross South development jointly with André Gibbs.
Morwenna Hall has been with Argent for nine years and has been involved in various aspects of the King’s Cross project including the delivery of the award-winning Coal Drops Yard. Since 2018, she has been the Chief Operating Officer for the business and will continue in this role as a Partner.
Tom Goodall joined Argent in 2012 and has delivered significant projects at King’s Cross, including the landmark Gasholders apartments. In 2017, Tom took the lead of Argent Related’s project at Tottenham Hale and in 2019 was appointed Head of Residential for Argent Related. Tom will continue in both roles as a Partner.
David Partridge will continue his roles as Senior Partner and Chairman of Argent Related. Other Partners, Mike Lightbound and Will Colthorpe, will continue in their roles as Chief Financial Officer and Head of King’s Cross Development respectively.
On the departure of Anna Strongman, Robert Evans said, “Anna has done an outstanding job for over 12 years across a variety of roles and the company would like to say thank you for her passion, commitment and leadership. While we are sad to see her leave, we know that Anna will make a tremendous CEO for the Oxford University Development and we wish her every success.”
In response to his joint appointment as Managing Partner, Nick Searl said “It’s a real privilege to take up this role and particularly exciting to be working together with Robert to lead such a talented team. The business is at a seminal moment in its almost 40-year evolution, where we are moving increasingly from development to management activities at King’s Cross but also just embarking on the development phase of our new projects. In all cases, sustainability, health and new ways of working and living will lead our thinking.”
Robert Evans said, “Like Nick, I feel a great sense of pride taking up this position and I’m excited about the challenges that we and the other partners will face together. Throughout my 20+ year career with Argent, we have never stopped evolving and looking towards the future. We continue to develop the King’s Cross Estate which has established a world-wide reputation for place-making and regeneration.
“Our ongoing and future projects, working with innovative partners such as AustralianSuper, Federated Hermes and Related, will set new standards for city building. Our developments have always been more than just a collection of buildings. They have a social purpose; and this has never been more important than it is today.”
Kenneth P. Wong, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Development for Related Companies said: “We would like to congratulate Nick Searl and Robert Evans on their appointments, as well as Tom Goodall and Morwenna Hall, and look forward to our continued successful partnership. Argent Related is at a very exciting point having started on our first UK development at Tottenham Hale and early works at Brent Cross South, one of the most visionary and ambitious new town developments in the UK.”
Sir David Clementi, Chair of the King’s Cross Central General Partner Board said: “The Argent team continues to do a first-class job at King’s Cross. A run-down former goods yard has been transformed into a new ‘Great Estate’, one that redefines a major part of Central London. Argent is driving continued delivery of world-class, sustainable development, with a long-term responsible investment philosophy that resonates with major investors.”
Chris Taylor, CEO of Real Estate and Head of Private Markets, International at Federated Hermes added, “Robert and Nick have been absolutely outstanding as key Argent Partners helping to deliver one of the world’s great urban renewal projects. Their vision, responsible approach to investment and close collaboration with all stakeholders mirrors closely the Federated Hermes investment philosophy and has delivered outstanding financial returns for our beneficiaries, as well as, wider positive societal and environmental externalities.”