Join David Hatcher, React News editorial director and logistics expert, as we discuss current challenges and opportunities within the UK logistics industry, with a panel of leading industry insiders.
The discussion will cover topics including:
Firethorn Trust, Partner, London
Firethorn is a dedicated investor and developer, delivering midbox logistics warehousing spaces. Firethorn has recently announced several schemes in the sector including a 354,000 sq ft development, near Northampton, where work has just started on site. Firethorn is currently delivering c.1m sq ft of speculative logistics units across the UK. An executive board Director, Chris co-leads on strategic direction and decision-making. With 20 years’ experience in asset acquisition, asset & fund management, development, and financing, Chris is responsible for the management of Firethorn’s asset and investment portfolio and its finance operations. Forward-thinking and focused on sustainable high-quality developments, Chris drives his teams to deliver strong asset performance and optimal financial outcomes. Before setting up Firethorn, Chris was Head of UK and Ireland, Asset & Portfolio Management at Tristan Capital Partners, managing its UK portfolio of over £2bn. Chris has also worked at Rockspring Property Investment Managers LLP and Cushman & Wakefield. Chris is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).
Savills, Director South East Industrial Team
Bridget is a director in the Industrial and Logistics team with a focus on urban logistics in London and the South East. She advises occupiers, developers, funds and property companies on acquisitions, disposals, development and other issues relation to their exposure and investment in the industrial property market. She is a thought-leader in the co-existence of logistics and other uses including residential.
SEGRO, Business Unit Director
Alan Holland is the Managing Director for SEGRO’s Greater London business. With a market value of over £3.7bn the Greater London business includes over 366 customers. Historically concentrated in Park Royal and Heathrow, the portfolio has recently expanded its urban logistics and light industrial footprint in North and East London, with the London unit now spanning over 47 locations. SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and light industrial property. It owns or manages 7 million square metres of space (75 million square feet) valued at £11 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in eight other European countries. Major retail and ecommerce customers for SEGRO include John Lewis, Amazon, Ocado and Yoox. Alan is a Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years’ real estate experience in the industrial and logistics markets.
Oxford Properties Group, Head of UK and Head of Logistics & Residential, Europe
James is Head of UK and Head of European Logistics & Residential at Oxford Properties, a leading real estate investor, developer and manager. James is accountable for all aspects of these businesses, including strategy, capital deployment, and strategic portfolio management. Industrial and logistics is one of Oxford’s highest conviction strategies globally, with $8 billion AUM across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Oxford has a target allocation to the sector of c.30% of its balance sheet by 2025 and ambitions to deploy a further £3 billion into the space in Europe over the next few years. James joined Oxford’s European investment team in 2014 and has £9 billion of global transaction experience, across all major assets classes, including office, retail, residential and industrial. Prior to Oxford, James worked in the capital markets teams at CBRE and Savills. James is a member of the Investment Property Forum (IPF) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).