Leadership Transition Marks New Chapter for Hurstwood Holdings

Hurstwood Holdings has announced a major leadership transition as Sam Ashworth is appointed as the Group’s new Chief Executive Officer.  Sam takes over this role from his father, Stephen Ashworth who held the position since 1994.  Stephen is the group’s major shareholder and will remain as Executive Chairman of the board.   

The move marks the next stage in the evolution of the family owned property investment and development company, which has grown significantly since its establishment more than 40 years ago and currently owns and manages a £400 million mixed use property portfolio nationwide with a development pipeline in excess of £80 million.

The leadership announcement coincides with further senior appointments within the business.  Matt Bint has been promoted to Group Estates Director and will oversee the day to day management of the company’s portfolio. Andy Park, who joined the company in 2004 steps down from his role as Managing Director to enjoy some well earned free time but remains with the group on a part time basis as Chief Financial Officer.  Phil Brassell, who has been with the company for five years, has been promoted to Head of Construction 

Over the last 10 years, Sam has played a key role in expanding Hurstwood’s development portfolio, through its various brands; Hurstwood Homes, Tabley Homes and Lock It Self Storage and under Sam’s leadership the group has developed over £150m of quality residential, industrial, office and self-storage space.

Stephen Ashworth took over from his father, John Ashworth in 1994 and over the last 32 years has taken the Hurstwood from a development business focused in Rossendale to a nationwide property company with a £400 million portfolio, housing 1,200 businesses across 140 locations having founded 14 companies within the group to facilitate this.

Stephen comments: “After more than three decades building the business, the time is right for the next generation to take the day to day lead as we enter a new phase of expansion.  

“Sam has been instrumental in driving change within the company, bringing new initiatives and adopting a proactive, hands-on approach that has helped position Hurstwood for the future. His energy, enthusiasm and clear vision for the business make this an exciting time for the company and everyone involved.”

Commenting on his appointment, Sam Ashworth says: “It is a privilege to take on this new role at Hurstwood and have the opportunity to lead a hardworking and talented group of people into our next chapter. I look forward to working with the team in continuing to adapt and improve the already strong and valuable platform created by Stephen and Andy and making further significant strides forward for our business.’’

AM Sci tech Completes Historic Acquisition of Aberdeen Energy Park and Innovation Parks

Manchester based property company, AM Sci Tech – a subsidiary of Hurstwood Holdings – has successfully finalised the acquisition of one of the most significant property deals in Aberdeen in the last decade. This landmark acquisition encompasses Aberdeen Energy Park and Aberdeen Innovation Park, two expansive science parks in Bridge of Don, North of Aberdeen, comprising more than 13 buildings, ground leases, a diverse community of 120 occupier tenants and a vast 100 acres of untapped development potential.  The Parks were bought from Moorfield for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is the culmination of over two years of meticulous planning and dedication.  Both parks feature a wide array of traditional industrial and multi let office buildings as well as laboratories, primarily tailored to support science, oil, gas, and related businesses. With this acquisition, Hurstwood now solidifies its position as one of the most prominent property owners in Aberdeen.

Stephen Ashworth, Chairman and CEO of Hurstwood Holdings, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone: "I am delighted that we now have control of these two extremely important sites for the city of Aberdeen in Scotland, the energy capital of Europe. The UK must become more independent for its energy supply in the coming years, and Aberdeen plays an extremely important part in this journey. We are very excited about the future potential and prospects and extremely pleased to be playing our part in this as a UK-wide property company."

AM Sci Tech's acquisition secured the estates management team and associated services and contracts. Going forward, management will be overseen by the team in Aberdeen and Hurstwood Asset Management, which is based at Hurstwood’s head office in Peter Street, Manchester.  Stephen adds: “Through considered and strongly focused asset management, the Parks have significant potential to improve its current income profile, which we believe could exceed £100 million in the next 10 years.”

King Street Real Estate acted on behalf of AM Sci Tech in the acquisition. Ted Murray of King Street Real Estate comments: “We believe Scotland has been significant oversold on the last decade, in particular Aberdeenshire. The government’s recent plans to grant new North sea oil and gas licences will no doubt bolster demand for commercial space in the area and drive significant value for investors going forward. 

The parks themselves are made up of 13 office, laboratory and industrial buildings. Comprising 100 separate occupational and ground leases, we are delighted to have advised on such a highly complex transaction through to a successful conclusion. We look forward to a continuing involvement and working closing with HAM to realise the business plan over the coming years.”

Ritchie Watson, Corporate Lending Director at Together, which provided the funding for the deal, said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with the AM Sci Tech team to provide the multi million pound funding needed to complete the purchase.  Seeing Hurstwood Holdings continue to go from strength to strength and building a 15 year strong relationship with Together has been incredibly rewarding for us.  We look forward to working with them again in the future.”

King Street Real Estate acted as the broker and manager of the deal, while Burness Paul Scottish Law handled the legal aspects.  Jayne Hindle, Hurstwood Group’s in house lawyer and Julie Black, Director and Company Secretary of Hurstwood Group worked alongside the brokers and legal teams to manage the deal.

For press enquiries please contact:

Anna de la Perrelle anna@delapr.com / 07876528773

Hurstwood Holdings Launches Self Storage Concept "Lock it Self Storage"

Manchester based property investment and development company, Hurstwood Holdings has launched a new self-storage concept, Lock it Self Storage with its first premises set to open Wigan town centre before the end of the year.

Led by Hurstwood’s in house team of property experts and self-storage management, Lock it Self Storage will provide flexible storage solutions in strategic locations both in city and town centre locations and on the outskirts to accommodate growing demand from in both private residents and local entrepreneurs.

Stephen Ashworth, Chairman and CEO of Hurstwood Holdings, comments: “The first Hurstwood Storage, situated on Standishgate in Wigan, will see our team – led by project director, Sam Ashworth and Phil Brassell – repurpose a former night club to provide an 17,750 sq ft of state-of-the-art storage facility.  The self-storage sector is one that continues to benefit from strong growth with demand consistently far outstripping supply and by entering this area of the market, we will add a new layer of value to our already extensive real estate portfolio.”

Having already secured planning permission, Hurstwood is also in negotiations to convert the upper floors of the building, known as Bryan House, in to 45 one bed apartments.

Hurstwood plans to roll out its self-storage concept nationwide with further sites already identified in Lancaster, North Shields and Dumfries.

Hurstwood Holdings is a commercial and residential property group with over £250 million of properties on 135 site nationwide housing more than 1,000 occupier clients.

For further information please contact:

Anna de la Perrelle anna@delapr.com / 07876528773

Hurstwood's Half Year Review.

Hurstwood to acquire 96,000sqft office space in Newcastle

Q4 | Quorum Business Park.

We are delighted to announce we have recently acquired Q4, Quorum Business Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The property, in one of Newcastle prime business parks, spans over 96,000sqft and is located just 2 miles from Newcastle City Centre and 15 minutes from Newcastle International Airport.

Following a refurbishment programme, we will be making the remaining 48,000sqft space available to the local business community with suites ranging from 5,000 to 24,000sqft. The property includes a 2 passenger Lift, Grade A Office Space, dedicated bus services to metro stations, as well as 384 car parking spaces.

This takes Hurstwood Holdings assets to £150m on 100 sites nationwide housing over 600 occupiers. Chairman Stephen Ashworth commented, “We are delighted to now be operating in Newcastle in addition to many other major cities around the UK and to constantly improving our extensive property portfolio and providing a first-class service for all our occupier clients nationwide”.

Sian Hindle, Sales Manager at Hurstwood Comments: “We are excited to offer this latest property to the businesses of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Q4 is one of our largest acquisitions to date and is one of many properties Hurstwood Holdings will be investing in this year.”

For more information, visit Q4 Quorums dedicated property page or call us at 0161 220 1990.