Howie to head Avison Young’s Leeds office

Previously the firm’s head of regeneration, Stuart Howie is now regional managing director as AY reshuffles its regional leadership.

Howie will be tasked with leading the Leeds office to drive continued growth across Yorkshire and to deliver large-scale regional development projects.

The appointment forms part of a regionalised leadership drive from AY, with regional MDs now appointed in Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh offices, while Stephen Cowperthwaite has been made managing director of UK regions.

Chris Cheap, who previously had a watching brief over the Leeds office, is now the firm’s chief transformation officer. Ex-Deloitte man and former head of project consultancy Barry Crichton takes over from Cheap as regional MD for Manchester.

Howie has advised on some of the UK’s largest property and regeneration projects, including advising Durham City Council on the creation of an Innovation District with Durham University.

Prior to joining the firm in October 2018, Howie spent two decades as a director at PwC, delivering major public service transformation projects and advising the public sector on the use of devolution freedoms.

In his new role, he will lead on generating growth across the Yorkshire region, building relationships with local authorities, developers, and occupiers, and supporting Avison Young’s wider ambition to deliver large-scale regional development projects.

Stuart Howie, regional managing director of Avison Young, Leeds, said: “After four years at the firm, I am excited for this new chapter and to bring my established experience in driving regional growth to the role.

“The Leeds office has a wealth of talented colleagues, providing strategic property advice across the Yorkshire region and beyond, and I look forward to working with colleagues, clients and local communities to unlock investment and inclusive growth opportunities together.

“Avison Young represents the commercial real estate sector at its very best, and I’m delighted to be part of our journey to deliver excellence across the regions.”

Canadian-headquartered AY entered the UK market with a series of acquisitions from around 2017, the most significant being the purchase of GVA in 2019.

The other new regional MDs are Sarah-Jane Osborne, Paul Broad and Stewart Taylor, who take charge in Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively.