Robert Evans to leave Related Argent

Robert Evans will leave Related Argent at the end of this year. The former Argent joint managing partner, who was instrumental in the delivery of the King’s Cross estate, will stand down after a 23-year career with the company. Evans said it was “the right time to pursue new challenges” with the King’s Cross estate in its final stages of development and its 50th and final building due to start construction next year. Evans joined the company in 2001 and became the first CEO of the King’s Cross Estate in 2018. Between 2020 and May 2023 he was joint-managing partner at Argent alongside Nick Searl. He also helped to establish the Related Argent business in 2016, which has secured projects including Brent Cross Town, Tottenham Hale and the build-to-rent development Author King’s Cross, which opened its doors in October 2023. Evans said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the Argent team that achieved so much at King’s Cross, Manchester, Birmingham and elsewhere and to help set up Related Argent, which is going from strength to strength at Tottenham Hale and Brent Cross Town. I have worked with some brilliant people in my 23 years – undoubtedly some of the best in the industry. King’s Cross has been its own incredible journey and together we have created something truly special. “King’s Cross is cited regularly as a benchmark for development and regeneration; and often welcomes visitors from other cities, across the world, to share our approach to placemaking and social value and our path to net zero carbon. King’s Cross has defined my professional life and that of many colleagues and we could not be prouder of it. I would like to thank all of my colleagues, our investors, contractors and other partners for all their support along the way.” On 1 May 2024, the Argent business will transfer all projects and employees to Related Argent and the current five partners will become executive directors. Tom Goodall, managing director at Related Argent, will lead the overall company, which has a £9bn pipeline, from 1 May. David Partridge, who was previously managing partner of the Argent business and one of the founding members of the King’s Cross development, will remain as chair of Related Argent and take over Evans’ leadership responsibilities at King’s Cross. Evans joined Argent from a planning and environmental consultancy as a project manager, principally to work on King’s Cross. Goodall said: “Along with my fellow partners, I would like to thank Robert for the immeasurable contribution he has made to the success of our business over more than two decades. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together and the strong foundations that Robert has helped build to ensure the future success of Related Argent.” Evans also co-authored the “Principles for a Human City” that have since guided the King’s Cross regeneration. He has subsequently had various leadership roles on King’s Cross, spanning land, consultation and planning through to the design and delivery of mixed-use buildings and public space, sales and leasing and asset management. The 67-acre King’s Cross scheme has become a byword for successful regeneration, incorporating more than 50 new and repurposed buildings as well as 27 acres of public space and 1,750 homes. It is owned by the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership, made up of pension fund AustralianSuper, with a 74% stake, as well as clients of Federated Hermes and Argent investors. Chris Taylor, CEO real estate at Federated Hermes, said: “Robert has been instrumental in overseeing the implementation of the King’s Cross Estate Business Plan, delivering on the principles of the ‘Human City’, which he co-authored two decades ago. A remarkable achievement and a global exemplar in sustainable placemaking. Robert has shown an absolute conviction for delivering King’s Cross as a truly inclusive estate with engagement with all stakeholders, not least the local communities who have benefited so much from this truly remarkable transformation project.” To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews