First interview: Avison Young buys Wilkinson Williams

Rapidly expanding Canadian property adviser Avison Young has bought out-of-town retail specialist Wilkinson Williams in its latest in a series of acquisitions.

It now plans to broaden Wilkinson Williams so it attacks all areas of the retail market and works more closely with its logistics team.

EG’s head of content David Hatcher spoke to Avison Young’s chairman and chief executive, Mark Rose; principal and UK managing director, Jason Sibthorpe and new principal and former Wilkinson Williams partner Miles Marten to discuss the drivers behind the move, the pressures of running a niche firm and the next business Avison Young is on the look out for.