Guy Richardson

Laurence joined Colliers International in September 2013 as a director within the rating team in the London West End office, UK, after over 38 years in the Valuation Office Agency where had developed and applied new valuation approaches to public utilities and other specialised properties where rental evidence is lacking.

I joined Colliers International in January 2015 as a Graduate Surveyor in the Rating Team based in our Birmingham Office, where I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Prior to joining Colliers I attended Nottingham Trent University, where I completed a BSc (Hons) Degree in Planning and Development.

Throughout my professional career I have provided clients with a broad range of business rates advice with a particular focus on retail, concessions, licenced and leisure and redevelopment sectors within the Midlands.

Damien's first position within the surveying world was as a graduate working for RMC, based at their International Head Quarters in Thorpe, Egham, where he specialised in the contractors test method of valuation for rating purposes and provided lease consultancy and valuation advice to internal Group companies.

After six years working client side he took a position within the Professional Department at Strutt & Parker where he specialised in business rates advice and was an RICS registered valuer, undertaking commercial valuaton work for secured lending purposes. He was instrumental in the creation of a business rates advisory team within Strutt & Parker, and was appointed Head of Rating.

Damien joined Colliers International in January 2012 and is a Director within the London team providing advice on all property classes and continues to advise his first employer on the opportunities to mitigate their UK property tax liability.

I have over 20 years experience in Business Rates Appeal work.

I specialise in the following sectors, large industrial, breweries, distribution warehouses, large foodstores and car showrooms.

I cover the greater Midlands Area, I am a member of several business rate forums, tasked with negotiating an agreed valuation basis with the Valuaiton Office, on various property sectors.

I regularly attend Valuation Tribunal and have presented at Upper Tribunal, including the Simpsons Malt Case, regarding VT/VOA procedure.

As an RICS APC Assessor, I am responsible for training the Business Rates Graduates within the Birmingham Office and as part of a team, mentor all of the Birmingham Office Graduates, across disciplines.

I have over 30 years’ experience in the rating industry and lead a 90 plus rating team at Colliers International.  When I took over responsibility for the team in 2005, it consisted of only a dozen people and has now grown into one of the leading rating advisory teams in the country.  I am a member of Colliers International Management Executive as well as sitting on the company’s promotion panel. 

I am regularly called upon by the national media to give my views on a range of business rates issues and I am vocal commentator on the 2017 Revaluation.

I started my career in the Valuation Office Agency in Kidderminster.  I joined Gerald Eve in 2000 where I spent 10 years before moving to Gooch Webster (now Colliers International). I sit on the National Retail Panel of Rating Surveyors Association which provides guidance on how the RSA town committees work with the VOA and valuation matters.  John sits on the RICS Rating Diploma Committee having passed the prestigious qualification in 2014.

Philip Harrison and I founded 'Accurates' in 2007, the Collier's Compliance and Audit team, which although forms an integral part of the Rating Team is now a leading brand in its own right.

Erich began his professional career in 1988 at the  Valuation Office Agency, based at Kidderminster. Whilst at the VOA he had a direct involvement in numerous rating revaluations including the valuation of the whole spectrum property types including industrial, retail, office and more specialist properties such as surgeries, sports grounds,community centres and police stations. Erich joined Colliers International in July 2014  after a brief spell at  Harris Lamb, the leading West Midlands industrial agent. Erich has had numerous successes at both Valuation Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). Erich has a passion for technical excellance and chairs regular Colliers International conferences, whereby leading caselaw and valuation principles are critically examined and discussed, maximising any potential  Business Rate savings for Colliers International clients.