FOUR of Scotland’s most respected commercial property advisors have launched Lismore, a brand new real estate investment and development advisory firm.
Founded in response to market demand for a personal and high-quality approach, Lismore’s specialist services will cover sales and acquisitions, development fundings and joint ventures, across all property sectors.
The firm will be jointly owned by directors, Simon Cusiter, Colin Finlayson, Chris Macfarlane and Richard Mackie, who have operated in senior positions at the leading edge of the investment and development market in Scotland for 30 years.
Colin Finlayson comments: “We strongly believe there is a real gap in Scotland for an alternative niche advisor that thinks differently and is completely focused on providing a high quality and bespoke service to clients.
“We bring a deep understanding of capital and occupier markets, coupled with market-leading transactional experience. We are totally geared to help clients maximise value and meet their investment objectives”
Formerly, directors of JLL, the team is one of the most experienced group of real estate advisors in Scotland. Chris, Simon and Richard were partners at King Sturge prior to the merger with JLL in 2011. Colin had been at JLL for 20 years and was a regional director in the national investment team. Jointly, they have developed an enviable reputation in the market and have handled over 400 transactions, with a deal value of over £4 billion.
One of the directors, Simon Cusiter is a proud Aberdonian, who started his property career as a letting agent in Webster’s Aberdeen office, before moving to Edinburgh in 1999, to be an investment agent with King Sturge.
Simon remains very active in the Aberdeen market. As well as advising institutional investors, property companies and private clients in relation to acquisitions and disposals, he continues to provide strategic portfolio advice and market analysis.
Over the years, has been involved in some of the most high profile investment deals concluded in the granite city, including: disposals of Lloyds Register of Shipping and Statoil’s headquarters at Primefour on behalf of Drum Property Group, acquisition of One Subsea’s headquarters at Primefour for Aberdeen Standard Investments, acquisition and subsequent disposal of Talisman House, Holburn Street for Aviva Investors and sales of various landholdings in Westhill, let to Taqa, Kongsberg and Teekay on behalf of Knight Property Group.
Simon Cusiter adds: “It’s an exciting time to be starting the business and the reaction we have had from clients and the market has been fantastic. The fact that we are an established team and have worked together on many of Scotland’s top property deals for many years will allow us to hit the ground running.
“Our shared values, ethics and enthusiasm will ensure that we’ll provide our clients with the best possible service and advice. Being small and agile, but with decades of experience, allows us the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and help clients understand emerging trends.” Lismore will operate from an office base in Edinburgh’s George Street and will focus on the Scottish market.
