Chameleon calls in TAG

One of the UK’s leading providers of claims management solutions to the motor insurance sector has appointed Tenant Advisory Group as its property adviser. The company is currently headquartered in Cheadle and is considering relocating its operation in order to accommodate planned growth. It currently employs around 150 staff in a building that it owns.

The Chameleon Group recently established an office in Los Angeles, USA under the ‘CARE’ (Car Accident Resolution Experts) brand. There are plans to expand CARE throughout the United States offering the same accident management services that Chameleon’s founders first launched in the UK fifteen years ago.

Tenant Advisory Group will shortly be launching a search for new offices on behalf of the group which hopes to move in the second half 2012.

TAG helps Ralli opposition to CPO

Martyn Markland of Tenant Advisory Group has been retained as an independent expert by one of the last remaining objectors to the ‘Central Salford’ regeneration scheme. The redevelopment proposals will affect 50 acres of land and buildings in Salford. The development master plan envisages 850 new homes, 200,000 square metres of commercial office space, along with ancillary leisure and retail space.

The area around Salford Central railway station is the main focus of the proposals and includes a courtyard office development known as Ralli Courts. The property’s largest occupier is Ralli Solicitors who employ around 100 staff on site. Ralli’s partners are determined to fight the Compulsory Purchase Order which, if upheld by the Planning Inspector, would require the practice to relocate causing major disruption to staff and clients.

Martyn has been asked to review the proposed commercial element of the Central Salford scheme. In particular, he has been asked to judge the sustainability and appropriateness of the proposals in relation to the Manchester City Centre Office Market.

“The developer’s proposals appear ambitious in the current economic climate and will cause considerable disruption to Ralli Solicitors’ business. We shall be considering trends in occupational densities and local tenant demand to test the long term feasibility of the development plan. Fortunately, we already have a Supply Demand Forecasting Model for the Manchester Office Market and this will be one of several tools that we will be able to use to independently “stress test” the CPO proposals.”

TAG Team Expands

Commercial property consultancy Tenant Advisory Group (TAG), has added two new members to its team, expanding its services to include business continuity and carbon management. The expansion of the team has also led to the take-up of office space at Barnett House on Fountain Street in Manchester City Centre

Commenting on the new additions to the TAG team, Managing Director Martyn Markland said; “We recognise that future proofing a business in areas such as I-T and sustainability is becoming increasingly important particularly when relocating premises. I am therefore very pleased to welcome on board Mike Donovan and Andrew Chicken who bring invaluable new skills to compliment our professional team.”

Mike Donovan has been working in the telecommunications sector since BT was privatised almost thirty years ago. He will provide due diligence support to relocation projects as well as specialist technical advice in areas such as call centre infrastructure, mobile phone and VoIP applications.

Meanwhile, Andrew Chicken will help clients reduce their energy costs and minimise their CO2 emissions. Andrew can also devise funding mechanisms to support investment in energy saving plant and equipment.

Martyn added “These are exciting times for Tenant Advisory Group with every member of the ‘TAG’ team committed to helping tenants achieve the best value they can from their commercial property”.

TAG Adds Service Charge Expert

Chris Edwards, Chair of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) service charge steering group, has joined Manchester based Tenant Advisory Group (TAG) as a consultant, bringing with him over 40 years of commercial property experience.

Martyn Markland, Managing Director of TAG comments “I am delighted to welcome Chris on board. His experience in service charge matters will prove invaluable to the commercial tenants we represent. Put simply, he instantly levels the playing field between Landlord and Tenant, which is what TAG is all about.”

Edwards has been involved in some high profile projects including Media City in Salford Quays and the new Wembley stadium. He has also chaired the pan-industry service charge steering group that created the most recent RICS guidance on service charges, now fully operational as The Service Charge Code.

The addition of one of the industry’s leading service charge experts extends the capabilities of the Tenant Advisory Group which aims to become a leading advocate for tenants in the SME sector.

Chris says “the industry is working hard to promote a better understanding between landlords and tenants through initiatives such as the Service Charge Code. However, good practice is not yet universal which is why TAG has an important role to play. That is why I am looking forward to working with Martyn and the rest of his team in helping occupiers understand their rights as well as their obligations when it comes to service charges.”

A copy of the RICS Service Charge Code can be found at http://www.servicechargecode.co.uk/thecode.php