Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Paul Lejkowski as a partner and it head of Scottish rating.
Lejkowski moves from Capita GL Hearn, where he was a director of rating.
He will divide his time between the Glasgow and Edinburgh offices and help clients who want to appeal their new rateable values. Under the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill, business rates will be reassessed every three years instead of five and the next valuation will be on April 1, 2022.
Stuart Dorward, head of Cushman & Wakefield in Scotland, said: “Paul has a fantastic reputation within the industry and we are delighted to welcome him to the business.
“The Scottish rating system has undergone a massive shake-up in the past few years following the 2017 Revaluation Act and the Barclay Review. Paul’s in-depth knowledge and expertise will prove invaluable in helping our clients navigate through these changes and ensure they get the best performance from their assets.”
Lejkowski previously worked for BNP Paribas Real Estate in Edinbugh and is a member of RICS Scotland’s Chairman’s Panel of Independent Experts for the resolution of disputed rent reviews. He lives with his family in Livingston and helps coach a junior rugby team in his spare time.
He said: “My role provides a great opportunity to join a strong team at a time when we can help deliver significant savings for commercial property owners and occupiers. Historically the existing system has been slow to respond to market alterations in property values but this will be improved with more regular revaluations.
“Going forward, our aim is to ensure that clients who want to appeal against their proposed rateable values are given the right advice and are properly represented to make the strongest case within the right time frame.
“We are also well placed to provide advice to clients on vacant rates relief and the new Business Growth Accelerator Relief, which offers rates relief for new and improved buildings.”
