SMITH COLE WRIGHT - Key Persons

Crawford worked with Colliers Stewart Newiss for 11 years, ultimately taking responsibility for the Newcastle upon Tyne office and heading up retail agency in the north of England. Following that, Crawford spent two years as a Director of Akeler Developments PLC and Doxford International PLC, joining Mark Glatman for whom he had previously acted when Akeler was first established. During hid time at Akeler, Crawford played a critical role in the development of Doxford International Business Park in Sunderland - which attracted blue chip occupiers including Nike, Barclaycard, Northern Rock, Reg Vardy PLC, London Electric PLC - and of Hamilton International Technology Park in Lanarkshire. Crawford established the Newcastle office of Smith Cole Wright in April 1995, concentrating initially on high street retail agency and development consultancy. Since then the office has developed specialist skills in the leisure and roadside markets, acting for such occupiers as McDonald's, Mitchells & Butler, Greene King and Travelodge Hotels Limited. Crawford is retained as Outsourced Development Manager for the latter, covering an area east of the Pennines from Berwick in the north to Lincoln in the south. Crawford is a keen golfer and, as a born and bred Geordie, a long suffering supporter of Newcastle United Football Club.

Fraser worked with Richard Ellis (now CBRE) until 1985 when he opened the Scottish office of the London practice of Stewart Newiss, Chartered Surveyors. Fraser specialises in the commercial investment side of the business and also advises the Board of Bilsdale Properties on investment strategy for their £400m UK property portfolio. He was born in Glasgow, is a member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, enjoys shooting whenever he can and has a passion for wine.

Ian worked with Richard Ellis (now CBRE) until 1982 and then left to run the agency team at Conrad Ritblat (now Colliers International) before joining Fraser Smith and Crawford Cole in 1994. 18 months later Smith Cole Wright was formed, with offices in Glasgow and Newcastle. Ian has acted for a number of retailers including Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Ladbrokes Coral, Clinton Cards, H Samuel and Ernest Jones as well as advising developers and landlords over the years on a range of high-profile acquisitions including The Plaza, East Kilbride, the Wellgate Centre, Dundee, Livingston town centre and Ayr Central Shopping Centre. He continues to advise both retailers and landlords on a wide range of retail-based projects. Ian is 63 years old and was born in Lanarkshire. He plays golf, watches football and now enjoys spending time with his 2 young grandsons.

After graduating from University of Aberdeen, Rod commenced his career with Drivers Jonas in their Aberdeen office in 1982, dealing with a full range of agency and management services. He took charge of that office before moving south to assist in opening the company's Glasgow office in 1986. He joined Smith Cole Wright in 1998. In addition to advising property investors on purchase and sale transactions, he specialises in rent review and lease renewal negotiations on behalf of both landlords and tenants. He also concentrates on advising occupiers of commercial property on relocation and rationalisation projects. Clients include retailers, office users, manufacturers, developers and investors. Rod is 60 years old and was born in Glasgow. He spends any free time available watching birds both in Britain and overseas.