Latest News | 17 August 2015
Knights Opens Derby Office
Leading professional services firm and new Marketing Derby Bondholder, Knights, has announced the initial six partners who will be joining its new Derby office.
Highly regarded commercial lawyer Andrew Pilkington has been appointed to head up Knights' Derby offering. Andrew, who has more than 20 years' expertise both in private practice and as an in-house advisor at Rolls-Royce, joins the firm as managing partner of the new Derby office.
Welcoming Knights to the city, Ranjit Banwait, Leader of Derby City Council commented: “I'm delighted that Knights have chosen Derby and wish them every success.”
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“Having seen the model work so well in Chester – with that office doubling in turnover and growing in size by more than 65% in less than two years – I am looking forward to helping replicate that here in Derby”
Joining Andrew is David Williams, a corporate and commercial partner with more than 30 years' experience. Specialising in mergers and acquisitions for businesses of all sizes, David has excellent links in the east Midlands, having previously been the regional chairman for the Institute of Directors (IoD).
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“Knights has a great reputation for delivering excellent services to its clients and I am looking forward to working with them in Derby”
Mike Sullivan also joins as a partner in the real estate team; he will be responsible for a wide range of real estate transactions and has extensive experience in investment acquisitions and disposals.
Mike will be working on all aspects of property management transactions, property finance work and general property-related advice in corporate transactions.
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“It’s a really exciting time to be working with Knights and I’m really glad to be a part of it ”
Existing Partners at Knights' Staffordshire head office, Hélène Maillet-Vioud and Jonathan Tyson, will be moving over to the Derby office to make the initial team of five partners.
Hélène is an asset management partner and has been with the company for three years whilst Jonathan is a corporate partner with a stellar reputation for his work with dental practices. Jonathan won the Leading Adviser title at the 2014 Midlands Family Business Awards.
To complete its opening day line-up of professionals, Knights has also hired a partner-led, five-strong private client team with further details to follow.
The Derby team will be supported by more than 200 professionals from Knights who work in multi-office teams to support a regional and national client base. Knights has plans to build a 30-strong team of professionals in its first 12 months.
Knights have taken prestigious new offices on Pride Park via fellow Bondholder BB&J Commercial.
Chris Wright from BB&J Commercial commented: “The premises has been constructed by Melbourne Developments who have been building offices on Pride Park for over 15 years. 26 Orient Way is a bit of a milestone for the developer as its their last project on what was once a 15 acre development site. Having successfully delivered almost half a million sq ft of commercial accommodation, the developer wished to create a striking premises that made the most of the plots frontage and prominent position on orient way.
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“On initially speaking with Knights their professional quality and ambition for Derby was clear – we felt they would be a good match for the premises”
As letting agents we have received good interested in the 26 Orient Way, however the developer has considered the premises as the “Jewel in the Crown” and sought only the most desirable covenants. On initially speaking with Knights their professional quality and ambition for Derby was clear – we felt they would be a good match for the premises.”
