Richard is a Partner, based in the Leeds office and has a wealth of general practice experience, although with specialisms in commercial property taxation and lease consultancy. He operates in North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire as well as North and North East Lincolnshire, stretching up to parts of the North East.
Richard heads several of Newmark’s national portfolio clients on commercial property taxation including AS Watson, Done Brothers, BMB Fashion, VP PLC and Country Style Foods. I also represent several local authorities and handles a diverse range of different property types from high street retail, and roadside and trade counter, through to large scale food production facilities. Some of the more obscure property types he advises on include libraries, town halls and crematoria. He represents clients at Valuation Tribunal as and when required.
In terms of lease consultancy, he represents large PLCs through to regional and private clients, whether it be on acquisitions, lease renewals, re-gears, assignment or lease exit work. He also accepts expert witness appointments representing clients at County Court level.
Key projects
- Sofina - During the course of the 2017 and 2023 rating lists, Richard has advised Sofina (formerly Youngs Seafood) on their national portfolio to include their two main production facilities at Grimsby and the Malton bacon factory where collective savings for both lists and for just two of their facilities was well in excess of £2M.
- Middlesbrough Crematorium - Richard has secured significant business rates savings for both the 2017 and 2023 List on Middlesbrough Crematorium, with other similar work ongoing.
- Etel (Kwikfit) - Richard has represented Etel (Kwikfit) as an expert witness at Newcastle County Court regarding a 1954 Act lease renewal.
