Property consultancy Vail Williams has reported a 163 per cent increase in Oxford-specific turnover since opening an office in the city a year ago.
The firm has also been appointed to the University of Oxford’s property panel and acts for several university colleges as a retained commercial adviser.
In addition, Vail Williams has expanded its presence in the Oxford retail market and taken an advisory role with Oxford City Council as well as growing its own team to meet business demand.
Partner Richard Dawtrey, head of the Oxford office and head of investment at Vail Williams, said: “The opportunity that Oxford represented has been alive to us for many years. It was a strategic decision at a time which felt right – and with hindsight, justifiably so.
“The Oxford market has a huge amount of potential as a beacon of growth, particularly in the education and life sciences sectors, and for us to have a major presence in the city is already paying dividends.”
Vail Williams’ entry into the Oxford market saw the firm, which now has 12 offices across the UK, bridge the gap between its London, Reading and Birmingham offices, by opening premises at New Barclay House in the city.
The Thames Tap partner had already been active in Oxfordshire for many years, advising landlords, investors and occupiers from its strongholds in the Thames Valley, London and Midlands, but last February’s Oxford office opening has been key to delivering the increase in Oxford-specific turnover.
Richard went on: “As the absolute epicentre of learning and healthcare innovation, and with such a strong and independent retail sector, Oxford was an incredibly exciting proposition for us.
“Now that we have settled into the market, we are looking to strengthen our position here. We aim to continue to increase our market share through development of more property asset management mandates, as well as growing our building surveying, lease advisory and valuation teams to meet demand in this market.
“Opening an office here was a prudent decision for the business and we want to become the premier commercial property consultancy in Oxford. But that growth is underpinned by our values and these values will be core to our vision as we grow.”
Key engagements have included a general advisory appointment to the University of Oxford’s property panel and acting for several university colleges as a retained commercial adviser including Lincoln College, St Edmund Hall, University College, Oriel College, Pembroke College, Harris Manchester College and St. Peter’s College.
Within retail Vail Williams is acting on a number of college-owned mandates in the market this year, as well as taking an advisory role with Oxford City Council, putting the firm among the market leaders in retail property advisors in the city.
Vail Williams also completed a multi-million-pound residential disposal in Oxford and is growing its market share of transactions in the life sciences sector, acting on its largest deal, by square foot, in 2024, by leasing 23,000 sq ft of lab space to Agratas at Milton Park.
On opening the Oxford office, Richard was joined by experienced partner Mike Watson and surveyor Clark Tersol and has since added to its ranks associate Christopher Bailey and project administrator Naomi Ray and is currently recruiting for a lease advisory surveyor.
Senior Vail Williams staff now working across the Oxford region also include partners Carl Grint, Guy Parkes, David Barden, Daniel Pearce, Sarah Isherwood and Roland Browning.
Richard believes the appointment of Mike Watson, who has 26 years’ experience in the city, was a crucial ingredient.
He said: “He knows the city’s property market inside out, is an expert on the city centre and has significant experience acting for a number of the Oxford colleges – a combination which galvanised our decision.”
Mike said: “I knew, from Vail Williams’ focus on client care and relationships, that this would enable me to service clients at a standard that was befitting, but it also aligned well with my own work ethic.
“This cultural synergy has, I think, been core to our success in growing our Oxford practice over the last 12 months.”
“There is a lot for us to feel proud about over the last year, but for me, what I have appreciated the most is the level of integration and enthusiasm from Vail Williams coming into Oxford, and how quickly we have all gelled as a team.”
Vail Williams points to Oxford as home to world-leading research and industry expertise contributing around £2.5 billion to the UK economy. It is one of four cities in the UK which are a net contributor to the economy.
It was identified by the Government as a growth engine within the reinvigorated Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor which has potential to deliver 4,500 new homes, community spaces, education and leisure facilities and the further development of office and laboratory space.
Image (l-r): Carl Grint; David Barden; Clark Tersol; Guy Parkes; Naomi Ray; Richard Dawtrey; Matt Doe; Chris Bailey; Mike Watson; Daniel Pearce and Roland Browning
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