Neptune completes Ion rebrand, announces Vabeld deal

Liverpool developer Neptune has completed its corporate rebranding to Ion Property Developments and announced the first in a series of strategic partnerships, in which it will work with Belgian company Vabeld to take forward development of the investor’s Liverpool holdings.

Vabeld has built up a portfolio of assets in the city’s retail core, including units in Church Street, Paradise Street and much of the north side of Lord Street, including the former BHS store.

Steve Parry, managing director of Ion, said: “Our rebrand is a by-product of the decision to review the way our business operates on a strategic level. The Neptune name has served us well over the last 27 years but it is now time for a change.

“We will be focusing on working in partnership with both the public and private sectors. There is an advantage that collaboration brings in this market, which results in delivering even more added value to our partners’ land and buildings.”

The new brand has been phased in over the last year, being used on some of the group’s long term schemes rather than those at which Neptune is nearing the end of its involvement. The existing board and shareholding structure, led by Peter Hynd as chairman, will remain unchanged.

Current projects include the redevelopment of the ABC cinema and a mixed-use scheme in Lime Street, with delivered schemes including Mann Island and buildings at Liverpool Science Park.

The rebrand follows the renaming of Neptune Investments to Promenade Estates in 2015.