Avison Young expands UK Place Advisory offer with Head of Place Strategy and trio of JLL appointments

Global commercial real estate advisor Avison Young has announced the promotion of Nicola Rigby to Head of Place Strategy for the firm, alongside welcoming three to its Place Advisory team in London, with Laira Roberts, Hannah Noble and Emily Gibson joining from JLL.

Rigby, who has served as a Principal in the Place Advisory team in Manchester for more than five years, having worked for the company for over 22 years, has stepped into a national role leading the Place Strategy offer to accelerate Avison Young’s growth plans and cement the firm’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading regeneration advisors to both the public and private sectors.

Roberts joins as a Principal to lead Avison Young’s Development Advisory team based in London and is joined by Noble as a Director and Gibson as a Senior Surveyor. The newly created team is a demonstration of Avison Young’s commitment to growing a best-in-class offer for clients in London, complementing its well-established teams across the UK.

Prior to joining Avison Young, Roberts was a Senior Director and Head of Development & Regeneration for London and the South East at JLL, with over 25 years’ experience supporting clients on complex regeneration projects across the region.

The latest expansion of Avison Young’s Place Advisory team follows the appointment in October last year of Jasmine Ceccarelli-Drewry as a Director in London, evolving the firm’s strategy offer to support clients in embedding social impact throughout the development lifecycle.

Jo Davis, Principal, Managing Director, Place and UK Executive Chair at Avison Young, said:
“This is a significant step forward for our Place Advisory business, as the challenges and opportunities facing places continue to evolve. Expanding the team with the arrival of Laira, Hannah and Emily, with a focus on London and the South East, as well as the promotion of Nicola to a national role, brings together a broader mix of experience and insight, allowing us to combine strategic thinking with practical delivery.

“It reinforces our commitment to investing in our capability and ensuring clients receive best-in-class support that is well considered and grounded in how projects actually move forward, with a particular focus on London and the South East – and with more new hires to be announced soon.”

Nicola Rigby, Principal and Head of Place Strategy at Avison Young, added:
“I am really excited to grow our Place Strategy business nationally, building on an established and trusted team and on the momentum we are creating in London with Laira, Hannah and others joining to strengthen our Development Advisory offer in London and the South East.

“It means we can offer clients a more connected approach to place strategy, combining experience and perspective from across the firm to help them shape places that deliver for people, businesses, and wider communities.”

Laira Roberts, Principal, Place Advisory at Avison Young, added:
“Joining Avison Young at a point of growth makes this a particularly exciting time. The strength of the team and the ambition behind the Place Advisory offer create a strong platform for taking on complex development and regeneration work.

“I’m very pleased to be part of a business that is investing in its people and platform, thinking beyond individual sites and focusing on outcomes that will shape the future of places.”