Orchard Street announces new recruits

Orchard Street Investment Management LLP (Orchard Street), the specialist UK commercial property investment manager, announces that it has expanded its team by six to make a total of 17, following its appointment by St James’s Place Wealth Management as investment manager. The mandate is for £800 million of property funds which brings Orchard Street’s total funds under management to £2.5 billion.

Richard Walters, Michael Cecil and Lawson Shepherd have joined Orchard Street and will provide an important level of continuity for the St James’s Place mandate, having in depth knowledge of the portfolio from their previous roles at the former manager.

Richard and Michael have joined the Asset Management team reporting to Phillip Rodger and Lawson has taken the newly formed role of Head of Distribution reporting to John Humberstone.

Coming from Invista Real Estate where he was the Head of Industrial, Richard has extensive experience in both asset management and investment. Prior to Invista Richard worked at Legal and General and MEPC. Michael was also on the Industrial team at Invista Real Estate and prior to that worked for ten years in both the gaming industry and fixed income markets. Lawson was previously Director of Distribution at Invista where he was responsible for sales into the direct and indirect funds. Prior to this Lawson was Client Relationship Director at Insight Investment.

In addition, Ian Gibson, Subnum Vawda and Charlotte Foley from the St James’s Place accounting team have joined Orchard Street reporting to Finance Director, David Lee.

The SJP mandate includes the St. James’s Place UK Property Fund, an open-ended life and pension fund and the St. James’s Place Authorised Property Unit Trust. Combined, the funds comprise a diversified portfolio of assets including office, industrial and retail properties located throughout the UK.

Chris Bartram, Chairman of Orchard Street Investment Management, said:

"The six new appointments have added a broad level of talent and expertise to our existing team. With their detailed knowledge of the St James’s Place portfolios, the new appointments have helped ensure a smooth transition and continuity of management. We are delighted with our appointment as investment manager of the St James’s Place property funds. The addition of £800 million assets under management and the quality of our enlarged team has further established Orchard Street's position in the real estate investment management sector."