Co-founder steps down at GV&Co

Andrew Gent, one of the Yorkshire industrial market’s best-known agents, will no longer work as a director of the business, narrowing his focus to long-standing clients and major instructions.

Gent has worked in the industrial and logistics sector for four decades, founding GV&Co – originally Gent Visick – in 2003, after spending eight years with DTZ.

Since then, the business has grown from a solely industrial practice into a multi-disciplinary surveying firm.

Gent has advised on a wide range of major industrial and logistics transactions throughout his career. He said: “Industrial property is in my blood, and I still get the same buzz from agreeing deals today as I did when I first started in the industry 40 years ago.

“I’ve always been firmly focussed on building strong client relationships and securing the best and most suitable occupiers for their properties, to maximise and add value to developments and investments. This will never waver and will remain my priority moving forward.

“GV&Co has always been about the strength of its people and the partnerships we have built with clients over the years. I’m proud to have played a part in that and look forward to continuing to support those relationships now and in the future. With a strong and established team in place, GV&Co is in a great position to continue its growth, which makes this the right time for me to step back as a director.”

Gavin Ritchie, a director at the firm, said: “Andrew is quite rightly regarded as one of Yorkshire’s shed legends. His experience, market insight and long-standing relationships have significantly contributed to the success of GV&Co and we’re delighted that he will remain closely involved with both the business and our clients in his new role.”

Tom Goode, who joined from Knight Frank six months ago, is stepping up within the agency team and will take responsibility for GV&Co’s major big-box industrial agency and development instructions.

Paul Mack, director in GV&Co’s agency team, said: “Tom’s appointment represents a natural progression for the business. He has a proven track record, vast experience and is very well-known in the industry, so he is exceptionally well placed to lead our large-scale agency and development work as we continue to grow.

“With clear succession plans in place, strong continuity for clients and an experienced team across the business, GV&Co is well positioned for the future, as we continue to strengthen our services across all disciplines and deliver trusted advice throughout the industrial, logistics and wider commercial property sectors.”

GV&Co employs a team of 18 people in Leeds, providing industrial agency, building surveying and project management, property investment and lease advisory services.