Johnson Fellows appoints new head of rating

Johnson Fellows has appointed a new head of rating as we look to expand the department.

David Cureton brings with him more than 30 years’ experience in the property industry.

David, who began his career with Mason Owen and Partners in Liverpool, has helped major retailers such as Argos, Blacks, Halfords and Phones4U reduce their rate bills by millions of pounds.

Previous roles include being the team leader of BNP Paribas Real Estate’s Birmingham rating department.

Welcoming David to the team, Johnson Fellows partner Nick Wint said: “As retailers look for savings in order to survive and thrive, reducing the business rates burden for companies not only saves jobs but can help secure the future of entire companies. With David on board we aim to grow the rating team and develop the department further in preparation for the business rates revaluation in 2017.”

David said: “Johnson Fellows is a niche, specialist practice with a wealth of experience and a strong, reputable client base. I am very pleased to join the team and I am looking forward to growing the department and continuing to help clients make substantial savings on their business rates.

“The rating system is not conducive to being easily understood. We may still be a nation of shopkeepers but very few of those shopkeepers understand the appeals process. There are a number of measures out there to assist building owners to minimise their liability with respect to empty rates.”

Johnson Fellows’ business rates department provides a comprehensive service to a variety of clients including landlords, occupiers and developers.

He added: “We are committed to understanding our clients’ ever-changing needs and continually monitor this specialist field to ensure our clients can plan ahead. We offer commercially astute, proactive and thoroughly professional advice which is fully compliant with the RICS/IRRV/RSA Rating Consultancy Code of Practice.

“Negotiations with the Valuation Office Agency regularly take place to ensure clients pay the correct level of rates and minimise their rate liability.”

Rating services include: compiled list appeals, alteration appeals, disturbance appeal, referencing of clients properties to ensure accuracy of the list, proactive applications for vacant property relief, rate relief from partially occupied properties, management service dealing with rating returns and verifying rates bills, rates liability budgeting and planning.