BTG Property Auctions strengthens London presence with new director

Leading financial and real estate advisory group BTG has strengthened our national footprint as the second largest auctioneer in the UK by volume with the appointment of Richard Watson as Director based in its Canary Wharf office.

Bringing more than 25 years’ experience within the London and South East market, Richard, a qualified chartered surveyor and auction specialist, will lead BTG Eddisons Property Auctions presence in the capital. During his career he has advised on and facilitated the sale of commercial and residential property across the UK for a number of large real estate and auction firms.

In his new role, Richard will use his extensive cross-sector property knowledge to deliver high-quality service, realise value for clients and build on an established national and local footprint at BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, part of BTG Eddisons and BTG. Drawing on his experience with corporate clients, he will also help companies unlock value through the sale of large, high-value commercial, residential and mixed-use properties across London and the UK.

Working closely with partners across BTG’s eight financial and real estate service lines, Richard will enable clients to use the auctions service from BTG Eddisons as a strategic tool. Richard’s appointment will further strengthen BTG’s established real estate advisory expertise based in London, which supports businesses from planning and funding through to design, delivery, management and sale.

Richard Watson, London and South East Director in property auctions at BTG Eddisons, said:

“I am pleased to be joining BTG at such an exciting time of growth and evolution. Its established national auctions service under BTG Eddisons has grown rapidly and I am looking to build on that momentum and grow auctions in the region and across the UK.

“Auctions complement all of the service lines across the Group by generating liquidity for restructuring, or capital for investment in growth and real estate. Combining my knowledge of the London and wider UK property market as well as my experience in auctions combined with the other leading experts in the Canary Wharf office, will help deliver strong cross-service solutions to clients and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Mark Fry, CEO of BTG, said:

“It is great to continue strengthening our financial and real estate advice and expertise both in London and nationally. With Richard’s appointment we are not only building on our already strong auctions service nationally, but also the breadth of financial and real estate experience in our Canary Wharf office for businesses in the capital.

“By bringing talent from across BTG’s eight service lines together, we are collaborating to support clients at any and every part of the business lifecycle and deliver the best outcome for companies across any sector.”

Anthony Spencer, National Managing Partner of BTG Eddisons, said:

“For over a decade, we have delivered significant organic and acquisitional growth in our real estate advisory services. We have grown market share and brought together leading expertise under the Group to deliver success for clients. 

“Our auctions practice is a shining example of this growth and, with Richard on board, we are continuing to build momentum for our strong footprint in London. Auctions, alongside the real estate expertise in BTG, will have a key role to play in helping clients achieve success in the coming months and years and it is brilliant to see this offering continue to evolve.”