Howard de Walden appoints new property director

The Howard de Walden Estate has promoted Julian Best to the role of property director. He will replace Simon Baynham who will retire in September and has also recently been appointed as chairman of the Harley Street Medical Area Partnership. Best, who has worked at the firm for four years, latterly as investment director, will oversee the 92-acre, London Marylebone estate. He was formerly head of UK asset management at AXA Investment Managers. Chief executive Andrew Hynard said Best was chosen after a “rigorous process”. He added: “During his 25 years with the business, Simon has had a huge influence on the enhancement of the estate and, in particular, the transformation of our holdings in Marylebone High Street and around Harley Street. Medical now contributes around a third of the estate’s rental income.” He said that Baynham’s recent appointment at the Harley Street Medical Area Partnership “will mean that we will continue to have a working relationship”. The HSMA Partnership was established by a group of major clinics and other stakeholders around Harley Street to set up a Business Improvement District. To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette