Property consultancy Vail Williams has bolstered its London operation with two new young hires as business demand continues to grow.

The firm, an active property adviser in the capital for more than two decades, has a team of 20-plus experts working from its base just off Soho Square.

Freddie Worth, who has rejoined Vail Williams as a valuation surveyor following a pre-arranged career break, specialises in commercial property valuation, secured lending valuations, due diligence, building surveying, inspection and measurement

He began his property career on work experience with the firm in 2022, to support his real estate degree and spent a further six weeks on rotation across agency, planning, valuation, building consultancy, and investment teams in London, Crawley and the Solent.

Having subsequently been appointed on a temporary contract to assist the London planning team, Freddie took a break to go travelling before returning to Vail Williams full-time.

He is now working on his Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) studies to become a chartered surveyor by 2027 and has ambitions to become a registered valuer.

Sophia Piatto, who has joined Vail Williams as a planner, has key skills in planning applications, pre-applications, planning appraisals and planning policy advice.

She was previously studying for her BSc in real estate at the University of Reading and spent a year at Vail Williams working full-time as part of her studies in 2022. In 2023, she returned to her studies, also working part-time at Vail Williams to broaden her practical property experience.

Sophia supports the planning team with the formulation of planning applications and preparation of relevant planning documents and reports.

She is currently enrolled at the University of Westminster studying for an MA in urban and regional planning through the Royal Town Planning Institute professional apprenticeship scheme.

James Lacey, Vail Williams London regional managing partner, said:

“We are committed to continued growth of our London operations and the expansion of our offering. These new appointments also reflect our strategy of growing our own talent. Both Freddie and Sophia have been known to us for some while and it is heartening to witness them beginning to bloom.”

“Freddie is currently on rotation in the valuation team, supporting clients with the full range of commercial property valuation needs – and he is a fast learner, already dealing with a host of services as he grows his experience."

“Although in the early stages of her career, Sophia has gained a great deal of work experience with various property consultancies and developers. Being able to see things from both a developer and consultant perspective provides her with a unique approach to planning consultancy.”

Vail Williams’ property experts provide a range of advisory services for occupiers, landlords, investors, developers and lenders across the city.

Services provided cover everything from investment expertise and business rates support, to lease advice and property valuation.

Above Photo: New Faces - Vail Williams’ two new London hires Freddie Worth, second left, and Sophia Piatto, centre, are flanked by James Lacey, London regional managing partner, left, and partners Varun Dev Gudka and Sarah Isherwood