Bob Dyson calls it a day

The influential advisor to Manchester commercial property developers, who had a key hand in unlocking Spinningfields and NOMA among many other schemes, will retire from Jones Lang LaSalle at the end of this year.

Dyson, chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle's North West business, will bow out of a career spanning 35 years. He joined JLL from Dunlop Heywood in 2006 prior to focus on expanding the firm's development business across the region.

Dyson, a consummate networker and close ally of Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, added: "I have been exceedingly fortunate in finding and pursuing a career that I have enjoyed from day one. I have been part of two tremendous organisations and have been involved in some of the most high profile, exciting and meaningful developments in the region. Above all, I have met and learned from some of the most enlightened people in our industry, many of whom have become firm friends.

"I could not have wanted a better finale to my career than the eight years I have spent at Jones Lang LaSalle and the projects I have had a hand in."

He was involved numerous Manchester city centre office schemes including Lincoln House, Great Bridgewater, Direct Line House, Belvedere and Spinningfields. More recently, at Jones Lang LaSalle, he focussed on larger scale development consultancy mandates including Kingsway, Rochdale; the 4m sq ft mixed-use NOMA scheme on behalf of the Co-operative Group; the 4.5m sq ft Manchester Airport City masterplan; the Piccadilly Station and adjoining 20-acre Mayfield Strategic Regeneration schemes for London & Continental Railways and the development strategy and subsequent disposal of Granada Television's 20 acre HQ and studio complex on behalf of ITV.

David Lathwood, lead director, North West region at Jones Lang LaSalle, said: ''Bob Dyson has been one of the most influential property advisors and influencers in the UK property market for over 30 years. He has shaped a hugely capable team who will continue to handle the major projects to which Bob has been such an important contributor.

"Since the 1970s, Bob has been one of the major personalities in the North West market and he leaves his unmistakeable stamp on the Manchester landscape. He still has boundless energy and enthusiasm for the business which has been a positive influence on all those who have worked with him and for him. We thank Bob for his contribution and leadership and wish him all the very best for the future."

JLL Manchester's development advice will be headed by Chris Prescott, lead director, alongside team members John Lafferty, director, Adam White, associate director, and Tom McWilliams, senior surveyor.