Property pro seeks support for foundation; Cushman names regional partner; Montagu Evans boss starts

Andrew Hogge, consultant at London commercial property firm Cyril Leonard, is encouraging property advisers to help fund people who have challenges as a result of physical and or mental disabilities. Hogge is a trustee and chairman of the Challenge is an Opportunity Foundation, or CiaO, which asks companies who have worked as joint advisers or advised on either side of a transaction, to donate a small percentage of their fees to charity.

He tells CoStar News that the aim of the charity is to "inspire, motivate and support" people trying to overcome adversity as a result of their disability. It also encourages individuals to apply for grants to fund the costs of their training, coaching and equipment associated with their sport or task. One of its most recent projects involves raising funds for Naqi Rizvi, the number one blind tennis player in the UK and former number one blind tennis player in the world.

Hogge says one of the most rewarding things about donating to the charity is seeing the difference the funds make on the individuals taking on challenges. "We follow-up after we have made a grant to beneficiaries to see how they are progressing with their challenges and we share this with the donors".

If you want to find out more about the foundation or donate, you can follow this link to its website.

Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Sophia Sham as its regional managing partner for the South West and South Wales, taking over from the long-serving Tim Davis. Sham, who has been with the real estate services firm for more than eight years, is Cushman's head of healthcare valuation and advisory, and leads one of the largest specialist valuation teams in the UK. She will continue her healthcare leadership responsibilities while taking on the role of leading the firm's 45-strong South West and South Wales team at the firm’s regional hub office in Bristol. Davis, who was named regional managing partner in 2005, will remain at the company as a senior figure in the city.

Alan Harris has stepped into the Montagu Evans managing partner role, becoming its 10th since the partnership was founded in 1921. Harris, who was head of the firm's advisory department, has a background in development consultancy and has led its town centre and public sector groups since joining the firm in 2001. He has also held a seat on the business' executive committee since 2014. Harris succeeds Rob Bower who retired from the role and the partnership at the end of last month following a decade in post, read here. Harris said in a statement: "We are entering a new phase of growth, backed by considerable investment from our Partners."

Cushman & Wakefield and its CEO Michelle MacKay are seeking approval from shareholders and the High Court to switch its parent company's address from England and Wales to Bermuda to reduce its "administrative burden". The firm said in a regulatory filing last week that it plans to "redomicile" to the British Overseas Territory, changing its domicile home address from London's Old Broad Street. The firm said the change would have "little to no effect" on its operations and subsidiaries. MacKay said: "These changes will reduce administrative burden, allow us to maintain a stable corporate structure and capital flexibility and enhance our corporate governance."

NorthCap has hired Max Pickering and Jonny Pickup to its team. Pickering joined as the company's first occupational agent at the beginning of the month and brings close to nine years of experience to the new role of associate partner. He previously worked his way from apprentice to associate director at Sheffield-based Commercial Property Partners. Pickering will focus on the industrial occupier markets from NorthCap’s new Sheffield office. He is joined by Pickup who becomes an associate, providing agency, analytical and modelling support following 10 years at Strutt & Parker and CPP. Leeds-based NorthCap has its main office at the city's Platform building.

Kebab chain Mangal, co-founded by former professional footballer Lukas Podolski, is aiming to expand internationally. The firm plans to roll out an additional 500 restaurants by the end of 2027, including in Turkey, Japan, Poland, and "other European markets". The new units will use AI-controlled robot systems from the German manufacturer Circus, with another co-founder, Metin Dağ, saying it is "building the future of quick-service dining... with zero human operation required". Podolski is the fourth most-capped player in German national team history and won the World Cup in 2014. He also played at Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Arsenal in a storied career.