Leeds firm Walker Morris has scored a major new property client, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.
The firm has been appointed to oversee the disposal of 160,000 sq m of property currently managed by the agency. The Yorkshire
Forward portfolio consists of 50 industrial, office, and high-tech estates across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Walker Morris won the contract after a competitive tender involving six local and national firms. Property partner Jeremy Moore, is to lead the Walker Morris team.
Moore said: "Yorkshire Forward is a major player in Yorkshire and this is a very significant property deal for the Yorkshire market."
Heather Hancock, executive director of environment for Yorkshire Forward, confirmed that the team from Walker Morris was selected primarily because of its experience in similar work.
This has included advising the Royal Bank of Scotland on the English property aspects of its £190m purchase of 450 public houses for Scottish & Newcastle.
The Walker Morris property department has grown by five lawyers in the last 12 months, including Gouldens associate Jayne Richards. It now comprises 14 partners and 26 solicitors.
Yorkshire Forward, which instructs Hammond Suddards Edge, expects to complete the programme of disposals by the end of the financial year in April 2002.