New horizons for ‘property people’
INDEPENDENT commercial property specialist Cooke & Arkwright has made two strategic promotions following strong growth in 2017.
The Cardiff-based firm has promoted two employees to director and associate director.
Jane Shankland has been promoted to director of business rates and will now assist fellow director Andrew West in continuing to grow the department, with a particular focus on public sector clients.
Having joined Cooke & Arkwright as a graduate in 1994, Mrs Shankland has become one of its key contacts for business rate assessments. She advises clients on all types of commercial property including industrial, office and retail premises in Wales and England.
Mrs Shankland also advises public sector clients, including 10 Welsh local authorities, on rating issues for their operational portfolios.
Fluent Welsh-speaker Robert Evans has been promoted to associate director within the development land team. Mr Evans joined Cooke & Arkwright in 2010 as a graduate surveyor.
He works alongside Cooke & Arkwright’s chairman Michael Lawley and managing director Andrew Gardner, advising clients on the acquisition and disposal of residential and commercial development land in Wales and England.
With his understanding of the planning, engineering, commercial and legal issues critical to development, Mr Evans is responsible for advising private and public body clients on development projects from inception to effective disposal.
Mr Gardner said: “We pride ourselves on being ‘Wales’ property people’ and this is only possible because of our talented team of property professionals.
“Jane and Rob both very much deserved these promotions as they have shown the utmost commitment to our clients and the company.
“We’d like to thank them for the continued hard work and look forward to seeing their future progression.”
Mrs Shankland said: “Since joining Cooke & Arkwright as a graduate, I have witnessed its development into Wales’ largest chartered surveying practice.
“We are a team of hardworking individuals whose efforts are always recognised by the company. The versatility of the work, the diverse range of clients and the highly supportive team makes it a great place to work.”
Mr Evans said: “Cooke & Arkwright is involved in some of the highest-profile developments within Wales and it is great to be a part of that and continue to develop the business further.”