Harlex adds to team with Vita hire

Former Vita Group acquisitions director Mark Nicholson has joined Harlex Property, the developer set up by former Argent and Kier Property man James Nicholson and backed by investor Palmer Capital.

Harlex was set up by Nicholson in October last year and is the first of Palmer Capital’s eight companies to be based in Manchester.

Its aim is to have a £200m portfolio within the first three to five years, and projects it is already set to work on include a 70,000 sq ft speculative industrial development at Wirral Waters.

Mark Nicholson has joined the company from Vita, part of Select Property Group, where he has worked across the UK. Prior to joining Vita, he also worked at Knight Frank and Dove Haigh Phillips.

He said: “It’s an exciting time to join Harlex Property and work alongside James Nicholson in growing the business. Backed with the support of our proactive shareholder Palmer Capital we have the drive and enthusiasm to implement creative and viable solutions on various property and development opportunities across the North West region.

“Having worked with and watched other Palmer Capital backed property companies grow and prosper and with the opportunity that is the North West Powerhouse region, Harlex is perfectly positioned to contribute to its continued success.”

Recent hires by Palmer Capital also include Grainger’s former director of build-to-rent investment and assets Ed Ellerington, who has joined as head of PRS.