Gulf investment and new chairman as Humberts shifts emphasis

Humberts has announced new overseas investment as it continues to shift emphasis away from its past rural-only outlook.

The investment news came in an announcement about the appointment of Peter Goldsmith as its new chairman. The veteran Goldsmith - well known to older members of the wider property industry - has worked with the Mercantile Group, an investor in Humberts, for over 10 years.

He founded Sinclair Goldsmith in the 1970s and the firm, which specialised in the acquisition, leasing and sale of commercial property, floated on the stock market in 1987.

“Humberts is at a very exciting point in its journey. The industry is evolving and our aim is to position ourselves at the forefront of the changes and become an agency leader” says Goldsmith.

“During this time of great change and momentum I’m looking forward to providing strategic thinking and guiding the business from strength to strength” he adds.

Humberts recently announced a London office led by 'star agent' David Adams and now says it has attracted “significant investment from a Gulf consortium” - a move which appears to be part of a process to shift the firm to, in its words, “strengthen the brand via traditional expansion and investment in technology.”

Ian Westerling, managing director of Humberts, says; “Humberts has secured major investment due to both its heritage and current size. We’ve spent the last three years consolidating our existing offerings and we’re now looking forward to implementing a strategy which will both set us a part and position us as a pioneer within the industry.”