Savills : grows rating team with new recruits

International real estate advisor Savills has recently expanded its rating team with the appointment of associate Richard Garner, who will be based at the firm's Finsbury Circus office in the City of London.

Richard joins the firm from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) where he worked for 16 years, eight of which were spent as part of the Specialist Rating Unit dealing with complex properties and valuation methods. He has particular experience in alternative valuation methods with a focus on retail, leisure, pubs and hotels. Richard also has strong knowledge of the 'contractor's test' and the 'receipts and expenditure' valuation methods, used for non-standard property classes. At Savills, Richard will continue to work on specialist valuations with a particular focus on the leisure sector, which saw a significant impact from the 2017 rating revaluation.

David Parker, head of rating at Savills, comments 'We are delighted to be welcoming Richard to the team. His wealth of experience in a wide variety of specialist, and often unique properties, along with his inside knowledge of the Valuation Office Agency, will assist with the effective handling of appeals for existing clients. It will also allow us to extend our service further into the leisure and industrial sectors.'

Richard Garner adds 'I am very excited to be joining such a well respected company as Savills and contributing to the ongoing success of the rating team through my knowledge and experience.'

Richard's appointment follows Savills recent recruitment of associate Kathleen Marsland, who also joined from the VOA where she worked within the Non Domestic Rating and DVS Property Specialists for the Public Sector departments. Kathleen has over 16 years experience in the industry with a particular specialism is in revaluing the City of London, which she is continuing at Savills.