Yorkshire Counties New Year, New Role, New Opportunities: Hilco Global Real Estate Advisory Craig Watson
I am delighted to share that I’ve recently taken on the role of Senior Director and Head of the Northern Real Estate Team at Hilco Global Real Estate Advisory. After 15 years with Sanderson Weatherall, this new position marks an
exciting chapter in my career and an opportu- nity to contribute to a team renowned for its expertise in asset valuation and advisory ser- vices. My focus will be on delivering compre- hensive real estate solutions across Northern England, working closely with clients to pro- vide clear and actionable advice. The team at Hilco has built a stellar reputation for its work in asset-backed lending, insolvency, and restructuring, and I’m looking forward to enhancing our real estate offering fur- ther, ensuring clients benefit from a blend of in-depth market knowledge and tailored strategic support.
Insights into the Northern Commercial Property Market
Yorkshire and the wider north of England have long been dynamic hubs for commercial property, and recent months have shown the region’s continued resilience. The industrial
and logistics sector remains a standout per- former, particularly in and around major cit- ies such as Leeds, Sheffield, and Manchester, where demand for well-located distribution centres continues to outstrip supply.
E-commerce growth and shifting supply chain strategies have driven strong activity, with developers responding where possible, although construction cost pressures and planning challenges persist.
Meanwhile, the office market has undergone significant transformation. Leeds, in particular, has seen encouraging demand for high-qual- ity, energy-efficient office spaces, reflecting occupiers’ focus on ESG considerations and hybrid working models. However, secondary office stock has struggled, with rising opera- tional costs and a growing focus on sustain- ability making refurbishment an increasing necessity but costly endeavour for landlords.
Retail, while still facing challenges, has shown pockets of recovery. Convenience retail and out-of-town retail parks have out-performed city-centre locations, as consumer habits continue to evolve. However, rising interest rates and ongoing economic uncertainty have made investors cautious, particularly when it comes to speculative projects.
Looking Ahead to 2025 As we navigate through 2025, I anticipate
Holding Client Aces
Owen said ‘We pride ourselves on being small, ‘lean and mean’ and yet we’ve built up an envi- able list of clients on both the occupational and landlord / developer side.
Currently advising the likes of Northern Gas Networks, Pharmacy2U, Northgate Vehicle Hire, Sigma Retail Solutions, Portakabin, Ligentia UK Limited, Clayton Glass Ltd, Lidl, LPD Doors, Barratt & David Wilson Homes North, Manheim Limited, JT Atkinson, Indurent, Marrtree, Towngate, Wharfedale, Monte (Blackburn) Limited to name but a few.
Owen Holder
Holder & Co Ltd is an independent firm of Chartered Surveyors established in 2014 by Owen Holder and joined by Philip Caspell in 2016. Between them they have over 50 years experience in the UK commercial property markets.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2025
The advice we provide to these clients and others, ranges from disposals, acquisitions, development, lease advisory and strategic property planning. We are also actively acquir- ing investments up to £10m for both private and institutional landlords.
As a smaller practice, we operate in between the gaps of those larger professional property advi- sors and often find that clients prefer this. After all, we are the ‘boots on the ground’, we are the ones communicating with our clients daily and it matters as much to us as it does to them.
Most would consider this to be a relatively quiet market, the reasons for which, we can all recite and do regularly At Holder & Co we see changes in the market as opportunities and we are busy working to find these oppor- tunities, whatever that may look like for our clients.
As we operate in all the sectors (indus- trial, retail / roadside, offices and land) and cover the whole of the UK, we are not overly exposed to the ongoing changes in market conditions, in fact with largely an occupa- tional client list, whose need for consultancy advice on property exists, despite the ups and downs of our industry, we tend to be contin- ually busy. Don’t let that put you off getting in touch though, as the old adage goes, ‘you want something done quickly you ask a busy person to do it’ !
several key trends shaping the market. Sustainability and ESG compliance will remain a driving force, with investors and occupiers alike placing greater emphasis on energy effi- ciency, carbon reduction, and social impact. For landlords, this will likely mean increased investment in upgrading older stock to meet new regulations and tenant expectations. Industrial and logistics are set to continue leading the way, particularly in Yorkshire’s key transport corridors, but the sector’s success may hinge on the ability to overcome plan- ning and land supply issues. Offices will likely see further polarisation between prime and secondary stock, with investment focused on prime assets that meet the growing demand for flexibility and sustainability.
In this ever-evolving landscape, the need for informed, responsive advice has never been greater. I’m excited to lead Hilco’s Northern Real Estate Team at such a pivotal time and look forward to helping clients navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. If you would like to discuss the market or explore how we can support your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
For more details please contact: -
cwatson@hilcoglobaladvisors.co.uk 07368 254419
0113 3234504 71
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