Property consultancy Vail Williams LLP has announced a change in leadership with Managing Partner, Matthew Samuel-Camps, stepping down after a decade at the helm.

Danny George has taken on the role as Managing Partner (1 June 2025), marking the start of a new chapter for the firm as it concludes a successful 10-year growth strategy.

Matthew joined Vail Williams as a graduate in 1988 and rose up the ranks to became Managing Partner in 2015.

During his tenure, Matthew led the business through a period of sustained geographical expansion – both organic and acquisitive – which saw him orchestrate the firm’s entry in several new markets including Oxford (2024) and Bournemouth (2021).

Through his delivery of three consecutive business plans, Matthew has overseen the doubling of Vail Williams’ turnover which is expected to exceed £21m for the first time this year, whilst also developing new service lines which have contributed to the growth of the team by 50% to 175 people today.

Reflecting on his time as Managing Partner at the firm’s recent annual conference, Matthew said:

“Vail Williams has gone from being a business with great potential to a confident, high-performing consultancy with purpose and pride. The foundations we have built have turned ambition into major achievements – both for our clients and our people - including accreditation as an Investors in People Gold business."

“When I became Managing Partner, I had a personal goal to achieve a sustainable turnover of at least £20m within 10 years, but not just any old way - the right way - to ensure we could create a compelling, values-driven business to be proud of."

“As I step down, I do so having achieved that goal and so much more, thanks to the unwavering support of our clients and our people. For that, I am both incredibly grateful and proud.”

Today, the firm operates from nine offices and is on course to exceed its long-term financial and strategic goals, making it the perfect time to hand over the reins.

Matthew concludes:

“Our business is in the right place for a fresh perspective – for someone who brings new energy and who, like me, has their sights firmly on the future. I couldn’t be more delighted that the person taking over is Danny George.”

Danny, a Partner and member of the Executive Board, took up the leadership role on 1 June with a clear mandate to guide the business through its next growth phase.

He joined Vail Williams as an Associate in 2016 when the firm acquired business rates specialists Bisset Moffatt Hill and quickly rose up through the ranks to Partner in 2018 before being made lead partner for the firm’s business rates practice in 2019.

By 2020, he was made Regional Managing Partner for the Gatwick region and led on a significant corporate values project which has become the cornerstone of the business’ culture, before being promoted to the Executive Board in 2023.

Danny said:

“It’s a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Matthew, whose leadership has transformed Vail Williams over the past decade. I’m excited to build on that legacy and lead a firm that continues to put people and purpose at the heart of everything it does.”

The change in leadership comes as Vail Williams launches a new three-year business plan aimed at further innovation, service excellence and sustainable growth.

He adds: “We have achieved our goals for the business over the past 10 years, in spite of some challenging times, and this gives us the perfect platform to continue our growth trajectory.

“The real success of Vail Williams has been in the development of our culture and identity as a trusted adviser. This is what I intend to build on in my role as Managing Partner, making smart, strategic decisions with purpose, which will further enhance our services to clients.”

But, Danny says, it won’t be about change for change’s sake.

“Our clients can expect business as usual, but as we look ahead, we do so with a firm eye on exceptional client service delivered by a team which is committed to remaining people-centric, innovative, and collaborative.”

“Of course, the world is evolving, complex global affairs, economic challenges, changes in the way businesses work, digitisation and the yet to be fully understood implications of AI all present potential challenges to businesses like ours – but with challenge also comes opportunity, and I’m incredibly excited about what is to come.”

Danny took up the role of Managing Partner on 1 June 2025, whereupon Matthew took on a new role as Chair.

Photo: CHANGE AT THE TOP: Matthew Samuel-Camps, left, who has stepped down after a decade as Managing Partner at property consultancy Vail Williams, with Danny George, who has been appointed to succeed him. Matthew has taken on a new role as the firm’s Chair