One of the West Midlands’ best known property figures has been laid off after Deloitte pulled back from the office lettings sector.
Philippa Pickavance, head of agency at Deloitte Real Estate, is expected to set up her own agency after being made redundant.
One of her team has also been laid off which effectively closes the firm’s office lettings department in Birmingham.
In a statement, Deloitte said: “In common with other real estate firms, Deloitte Real Estate regional agency business has experienced tough market conditions over the past three years which has prompted the leadership to examine the future of our office leasing team in the Birmingham office.
“As a result of this consultation we have decided to cease the active pursuit of office leasing work and as a result two members of staff will be leaving the business. Philippa Pickavance will be setting up her own Birmingham-based commercial agency consultancy, ‘Philippa Pickavance Real Estate’, and we wish her success in her new venture.
“Our national investment, development and occupier advisory business is unaffected and we continue to be active in these markets.”
The move comes after Deloitte’s takeover of Drivers Jonas, one of the UK’s oldest partnerships of surveyors, in early 2010.
Ms Pickavance has become one of the most high profile members of the city’s property sector, having previously worked at Lambeth Smith Hampton and King Sturge.
