An industrial property business which is on course to book a record year of transactions has signed up a leading property expert.
Since launching in 2013, Newcastle based HTA Real Estate has played a key role in a number of significant industrial development schemes. Over the past year alone the firm has handled over 875,000 sqft of industrial property deals, including the 139,000 sqft letting to JATCO at IAMP on behalf of Sunderland City Council.
At Greenbox in Darlington, HTA Real Estate has also recently brokered a 107,775 sqft letting to Wolseley Group on behalf of developer Citivale.
The firm is also marketing a 267,000 sqft warehouse at Drum Industrial Estate and two newly developed units at Turbine Business Park in Washington which extend to 68,458 sqft and 51,376 sqft.
Now Richard Scott has joined the Milburn House-based consultancy as director, following senior roles with firms including Savills, Cushman & Wakefield and Sanderson Weatherall.
Mr Scott is working alongside HTA Real Estate founders Nick Atkinson and Simon Hill, together with Douglas Cranston who recently joined the firm as investment director, to lead the firm’s investment department, handling acquisitions and disposals on behalf of pension funds, property companies and private individuals.
While there are many economic challenges, Mr Scott says the delivery of industrial developments including Greenbox, IAMP and Turbine Business Park are vital to provide new space to support the growth of the regional economy.
He said: “Economic factors such as the increase in the rate of employers’ National Insurance Contributions has led to some companies putting potential expansion plans on hold and the Trump tariffs are also creating some uncertainty in the global financial markets which hinder investment decisions.
“Despite these headwinds, the industrial sector remains the strongest of the commercial property markets with healthy levels of demand for good quality stock. There continues to be a shortage of supply across almost all size ranges, so new development is essential to accommodate the requirements of expanding businesses in the region and companies looking to invest here. I am very pleased to be joining HTA Real Estate, which boasts an excellent reputation and a very strong instruction book.”
Director Simon Hill added: “We have had an excellent year so far and we are on course for a record year of deals in 2025. Richard is a very highly regarded operator and will play an instrumental role in the growth of the firm in the years ahead. We are delighted to bring him onboard.”
