Avison Young announces senior team

Avison Young has completed the acquisition of GVA, with Mark Williams named as managing director of the combined office in Manchester, and former GVA senior director Chris Cheap taking on a national role as managing director of UK regions.

Williams has been a principal at Avison Young since 2017. Cheap also becomes a principal, leading the office agency division in Manchester along with his national remit.

The acquisition makes Avison Young one of the top five largest commercial real estate advisory businesses in the UK. Effective immediately, the two companies will now both operate under the Avison Young brand.

Manchester is the only city in the UK outside London where Avison Young had an existing office, established after the purchase of WHR in 2017.

Stephen Cowperthwaite becomes principal and managing director of Avison Young in Liverpool.

Last year, GVA acquired Manchester-based consultancy How Planning. Since the deal, How has been operating as GVA How Planning, but will now also be known as Avison Young.

Williams said: “Both Avison Young’s and GVA’s teams in Manchester have deep roots in the local market. The bringing together of the offices will provide a superb opportunity to provide best in market advice both in the transactional markets and consultancy arena.”

Cheap said: “While I continue to be based in Manchester and advise clients locally, I am excited about the opportunity to work across our national expanded network of offices and underpin Avison Young’s commitment to the UK regions.

“I look forward to working with Mark Williams to continue to deliver the highest level of service level to our clients and partners in the city region.”

The combined AY operations now have 19 offices and 1,600 employees in the UK.