Avison Young strengthens North East presence with two strategic appointments in Leeds and Newcastle

Global commercial real estate firm Avison Young has announced the appointment of two new senior hires to its Place Business Group, based in the company’s Leeds and Newcastle offices. These strategic hires will enhance the firm’s development and advisory capabilities across the North East in response to the growing opportunities brought about by regional devolution.

With more than 25 years of experience in property development, urban regeneration, and placemaking in the North East, James Pitt joins Avison Youngs’s Leeds office from Muse Places, following 12 years at Evans Property Group, where he began as Development Director and progressed to Group Director during his tenure.

Pippa Heron joins the firms Newcastle office in an Associate Director position, having recently held roles at Sansec Developments and igloo Regeneration, where she contributed to key developments across the city including Stephenson Quarter and Ouseburn. She is also a winner of the national RICS Young Surveyor of the Year (Project Management) and regional InsiderMedia Young Property Professional of the Year.

The appointments come at a pivotal time, as the North East region continues to experience a significant shift in investment. Expanding the team in Leeds and Newcastle builds the capacity and resilience required to meet increasing client demand and deliver on complex projects.

Jo Davis, Principal, UK Executive Chair, Head of Place and Chair of Real Estate Balance, Avison Young said: "We’re committed to supporting regional growth and delivering impactful solutions tailored to local priorities. These appointments will enable us to deepen our engagement with clients across the North East and reinforce our long-term commitment to place-led transformation."

Gordon Hewling, Principal and Regional Managing Director, Newcastle said: “I’m delighted to welcome Pippa to Avison Young. She is someone we have worked alongside on many schemes and it’s great that we can now harness her talents to help us deliver the major schemes we are involved with across the region. This appointment follows several others that align with our growth strategy in the region and a continuing focus on developing future talent.”

Stuart Howie, Principal and Regional Managing Director, Leeds said: “I’m excited to welcome James to Avison Young. James brings deep development, strategic delivery and leadership capability that will further boost our ability to drive value for our clients. He is well known to the market and our team and demonstrates AY’s continued commitment to regional investment.”

The new hires bring a wealth of experience in planning, regeneration, and strategic development, building on Avison Young’s market leading public/private advisory services ability to deliver high-value advisory services in a fast-evolving regional landscape.