Forsters announces new Head of Commercial Real Estate
Forsters, the leading London real estate and private wealth law firm, has appointed Victoria Towers as its new Head of Commercial Real Estate (CRE) leading its market facing strategy.
Victoria, a Partner and Co-Head of the firm’s Industrial & Logistics team, will assume leadership of the CRE practice; one of the leading dedicated real estate practices in the market and largest sector at the heart of the Forsters business, with over 120 lawyers specialising solely in real estate.
A Partner of the firm since 2012, Victoria is widely recognised as a leader in the rapidly growing Industrial and Logistics sector, leading multi-disciplinary teams on all aspects of development transactions, including forward funding, while also acting on investment acquisitions and disposals, asset management, restructuring work and corporate-driven transactions. Her diverse client list includes institutions, pension funds, property companies, charities and private developers.
Victoria also leads Forsters’ client facing ESG offering across its wider Real Estate team (which includes Residential and Rural Property), working strategically with clients to ensure that their portfolios can achieve or exceed the targets set by the UK Government in a collaborative way. She is a Ranked Lawyer in the Chambers UK Guide 2023 and Legal 500 2023 edition.
Victoria takes over position from Andrew Crabbie, who has led the growth of the CRE practice during his 5 years in the role. Following a 26-year career with the firm, Andrew is taking a sabbatical and will be returning to the business full-time in January 2025 to focus on his diverse client base, which includes leading real estate investors and developers.
In her new role, Victoria will work in tandem with colleague and fellow Co-Head of Forsters’ Industrial & Logistics team, Magnus Hassett, who is Group Managing Partner for Commercial Real Estate.
While Victoria will continue to lead the Industrials & Logistics team with Magnus, her new role will focus on growing key client relationships and new business development, leading the firm’s strategy in pursuing new opportunities and enhancing its competitive edge in a rapidly changing real estate landscape.
>Victoria Towers, Partner and Head of Commercial Real Estate, Forsters, said:
“It is a tremendous privilege to take on this new role, particularly at such as an exciting time for a rapidly evolving industry with so many challenges and opportunities. Developers and landowners are relying on trusted legal advisers to help them navigate new legislation and processes in areas such as building safety, biodiversity net gain, renewable energy and planning. I am proud to lead such an incredibly talented team of people, which is well placed to continue and accelerate the growth of our multi-disciplinary, cross sector practice.”
Emily Exton, Managing Partner, Forsters, said:
“Alongside our comprehensive understanding of the market and our expert advice, it is our collegiate, diverse and inclusive working culture, rooted in collaboration and performance, which is in the DNA of Forsters and sets us apart from our peers. Vicki personifies this spirit and is the natural successor to Andrew, building on the work he has done to grow and establish Forsters as one of the market’s leading dedicated real estate practices.”