OVERVIEW

Experienced

RO Real Estate is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RO and has an established track record of maximising value through active asset management, refurbishment and development.

We invest in all commercial property sectors and have significant experience working with joint venture partners and managing assets on behalf of third parties. RORE has a strong balance sheet and a long established reputation for conducting business diligently, thoroughly and efficiently.

Visit the RO Group website

Our sustainability commitment

WHAT WE DO

Skilled

Value of relationships

We place great emphasis on the values of committed relationships and commercial awareness. With a wide network of well-established contacts the team are able to source the best opportunities, many of which are off-market.

Bespoke planning

We believe that understanding and working with occupiers is the key to delivering value and maximising returns. Every building has its own business plan which is designed to exploit a niche in the market and deliver what the occupier wants.

Transacting quickly

and efficiently

Due to our ownership structure we can make decisions quickly and efficiently to complete transactions in a short timeframe.

Measuring performance

We measure our performance against key indicators such as capital value, rental income, vacancy rate, average covenant strength and lease lengths. We also measure our performance against project returns, whether it be return on cost (for development and refurbishment projects) or a risk adjusted IRR (for investment assets).

A proven track record

Over the past 5 years we have delivered refurbishment and development projects with strong returns on cost and healthy double digit IRRs. Overall our investment portfolio has consistently generated an ungeared IRR in excess of 7%.

Experienced team

We have a team with significant experience and broad expertise in dealing with all aspects of asset investment, management and development including, planning, landlord and tenant, marketing, project management and safety and risk management.

STRATEGY

Focused

Find opportunities where value can be created by enhancing space, improving income and then delivering strong returns on disposal

Partner with other investors on a joint venture basis for larger lot-size opportunities

Manage development and investment property on behalf of third parties

Customer first approach to deliver high retention, low vacancy rates and diversity across our tenant base

Acquire assets with strong property characteristics including geographic and micro location, covenant, lease length and asset quality

Invest in the UK market, particularly the South East of England

Take advantage of supply/demand imbalances

Make disposals once values have been maximised and reinvest in lot sizes of typically between £2-10m

OUR PEOPLE

Meet the team

David joined RO Real Estate in May 2017, bringing 30 years of experience in construction and development from his time at Mansell and Balfour Beatty. Responsible for directing and managing the Real Estate business, David has a strong collaborative work ethic that seeks excellence in business and development performance for all stakeholders. This approach assures outcomes that delight and affirm the benefits of a relationship-based approach to business.

David Kershaw

Group Real Estate Director

Nick joined RO Real Estate in February 2022 and is responsible for leading on all investment transactions. Nick has over 14 years of real estate experience and was previously Head of Investment Acquisitions, UK at Ardstone Capital where he spent 8 years focusing on UK and European real estate. Nick has worked on over £800m worth of investment transactions with a specific focus on the office and industrial sectors. Nick has an excellent track record of identifying, researching and developing new investment strategies and managing complex transactions from start to finish.

Nick Cashmore
Investment Director

Ed joined RO Real Estate in November 2020 from Sorbon Estates where he established and grew the leasing team for their mixed-use portfolio. Although ostensibly from an Agency background, spending time at Montagu Evans and Strutt & Parker, Ed has a real passion for small and medium sized business. He founded an online retail business in 2015, growing revenue substantially before selling his stake in 2017. Understanding businesses and facilitating their growth is ultimately what excites him.

Ed Davidson
Asset Management Director

Colin specialises in project delivery and has extensive experience delivering a wide range of assets including industrial, offices, hotels, residential, solar farms and large infrastructure. Colin has been working in the property sector since 1988 with major organisations including Tarmac Properties, Mace, British Airways, Laing Property and Kier Property. Colin joined RO as Commercial Director in 2005 to become part of the team that grew RO Developments into what is now RO Real Estate.

Colin Bain

Commercial Director

Simon joined the RO in 2010 following previous experience as a business owner and in several company director roles, predominantly in the IT industry. Before joining the Real Estate team Simon was Financial Controller for the RO subsidiary companies, including Charteroak Estates for which he became General Manager in 2013.

Simon Hargreaves

Financial Controller

Taylor has over 7 years’ experience performing Business Administration, PA and Project Coordinating roles coming from a background within the renewable energy sector.

Experience of maintenance repairs and coordinating knowledge whilst working with a housing association (L&Q) for 18 months. Taylor has now decided to go back to a role she most enjoyed and we welcome her to the RO as a Team Executive Assistant.

Taylor Cooper
Team Executive Assistant

Jessica joined the RO in 2013 as Property and Health & Safety Administrator. She supports the Premises and Facilities Managers by maintaining the Health & Safety documentation for the Real Estate portfolio in accordance with the latest legislation. Jessica has more than 15 years’ experience in Health & Safety. Prior to joining RO, she worked for Nuffield Health and David Lloyd Leisure.

Jessica Moore
Group and Real Estate Health & Safety Coordinator

Matteo joined RO Real Estate in July 2023, and assumes a pivotal role in overseeing property management for our portfolio.

Previously working at Sorbon Estates, where he accumulated seven years of expertise in Property & Asset Management, Matteo possesses the precise skill set required to revitalize and spearhead our in-house FM and PM services. Matteo's genuine passion lies in establishing robust systems and streamlined processes, guaranteeing that the portfolio he manages consistently achieves outstanding outcomes.

Matteo Scabbia
Head of Property Management

Keith joined RO in 1974 as Retail Manager before taking on his current role as Premises Manager for much of the portfolio in 2002. He has responsibility for administering facilities management contracts, service charges and utilities for a number of investment and development assets. Keith has more than 40 years’ experience in premises management.

Keith Symonds

Premises Manager

Kate joined the RO in 2018 as Office Coordinator before completing a Diploma in Facilities Management to transfer to the RO Real Estate team as Property Management Assistant. Kate supports the Real Estate portfolio to provide facilities management, asset management and tenant engagement. Kate has an understanding and interests across various sectors including sport, healthcare, hospitality and public services.

Kate Simmons
Facilities Manager

Wendy joined the RO Group in 1990 during which time she has undertaken a variety of roles, including credit control and service charge administrator. Wendy’s current role within the RO is to support the Real Estate team, predominantly assisting the Property and Facilities Managers. This includes expenditure management, service charge reconciliation, correspondence and interaction with current tenants and suppliers plus health and safety compliance management.

Wendy Davidson
Service Charge and Property Administrator

Nathalie has worked within the facilities management sector for 7 years. Previously working at CBRE she experienced working across a range of different sites and has gained a broad knowledge of FM.

Nathalie Joins the RO within a new FM team to support the Estate portfolio in providing facilities management, asset management and tenant engagement.