A commercial property specialist from Vail Williams has been appointed to a newly formed committee designed to support and promote Oxford’s office market.
Guy Parkes, a partner at the firm, has been named a founding member of the new Oxford regional committee established by the British Council for Offices, an industry body representing the interests of the office sector across the United Kingdom.
The committee has been created following growing interest from Oxford’s commercial property market and will operate as a sub-committee within the wider South West regional structure of the organisation.
Mr Parkes, who has more than 30 years of experience in the regional commercial property sector, joins Emily Slupek of Savills, who has been appointed chair, and Lucy Wiltshire of Kier Construction.
The new Oxford body reflects the British Council for Offices’ intention to strengthen regional engagement, with Oxford identified as an important location because of its expanding commercial market and links to science and research activity.
Mr Parkes said:
“I am excited to have been asked to be part of this progressive organisation. We will be sure to showcase the exemplary commercial property work going on across Oxford.
“There is a real buzz about the city, and I am anticipating that we will be looking to host thought-provoking get-togethers and social events to engage fully with the vibrant real estate community.”
The British Council for Offices is also considering the launch of a separate Oxford NextGen committee aimed at supporting early-career professionals entering the sector.
Founded in 1990, the organisation has more than 4,000 members and provides research, publications, events and networking opportunities for developers, architects, surveyors, investors, managers and occupiers across the office market.
Mr Parkes, who studied in Oxford, works across a broad range of commercial property activity and is based between Oxford and Reading.
Vail Williams has expanded its presence in Oxford since opening its city office two years ago.
The branch, led by partner Richard Dawtrey, forms part of the company’s network of twelve offices across the UK and connects its operations between London, Reading and Birmingham.
