Hampshire: Hughes Ellard makes new appointment and promotion

Independent commercial property consultancy Hughes Ellard has promoted Harnish Patel to associate director and appointed Will Elgeti from Vail Williams in Southampton.

Patel joined Hughes Ellard nearly six years ago with a remit in business space and development. He is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, having qualified in 2004 after completing his estate management degree at London Southbank University. He commenced his commercial-property career in London in 2001 with Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward Commercial,  and had spells with Hammond Phillips and Jones Lang LaSalle in Hong Kong.

Russell Mogridge, who leads the business space team with fellow director Nik Cox, said: "He has provided strategic property advice to clients across Southampton and Portsmouth.”

Elgeti read property development at the University of Portsmouth. He becomes the 28th member of staff, a record for the firm, which is now in its 43rd year. His role will be in freehold and leasehold work.

These appointments follow others during the last year, including senior building surveyor Nick Miles, surveyor Joe Walker, management surveyor Ed Martin, property manager Sara Williams, senior negotiator George Wise and senior building surveyor Mark Patel.

Hughes Ellard, which has offices in Southampton and Fareham, concluded 44 deals in 2015, involving a total of 274,000 sq ft, topping the 'league table' for the commercial property sector compiled by the Estates Gazette. 

Led by managing director Gary Jeffries, the firm is an active member of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Southampton Property Association and Portsmouth Property Association.