Robert Williams resigns from top retail parks adviser
Robert Williams, the joint founder of Wilkinson Williams, has resigned as managing partner of the leading retail warehousing agent.
Williams, who founded the 16-strong firm with Paul Wilkinson in 1991, said he would continue to work at Wilkinson Williams in a consultancy capacity but would have no involvement in decision making.
His responsibilities as managing partner will be shared between Paul Wilkinson and director Miles Marten.
The firm grew to prominence for its investment advisory service in the last property boom, when British Land, Aviva Investors, Gallagher Estates and LaSalle Investment Management were among its high-profile clients.
As the out-of-town retail sector grew from the late 1990s onwards, Wilkinson Williams grew to become one of its top three services firms.
Williams said: ‘Establishing and developing Wilkinson Williams has been hugely enjoyable and rewarding, but I had wanted to resign from the role of the managing partner for some time.
‘I concluded over the summer that it would be far easier for both myself and those taking over the management role from me if I also lessened my involvement with the practice.
‘A consultancy role will enable me to continue working on investment and asset management projects, and provide me with time to get involved in entrepreneurial opportunities and also spend more time in north Wales, where I originate from.’
Wilkinson said: ‘I would like to thank Robert for the enormous contribution he has made as managing partner and, through his guidance, establishing the firm as one of the leading advisers in the out-of-town retail market.’
It is thought Wilkinson Williams had been in talks to sell to Jones Lang Lasalle at various points in 2006 and 2007, but decided not go ahead.
No parties would comment on the situation.
This week Wilkinson Williams appointed David Marsden, a salaried partner in the firm’s agency department, as an equity partner. Marsden, who has been with Wilkinson Williams for six years, will take up his new position on 1 January.
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