31st March marks the end of our current financial year and is just a couple of months short of our thirteenth birthday. It also marks the retirement of James Clark, one of our Founding Partners, a well-respected and warmly regarded figure within our industry.

James’ impressive career spans nearly 40 years, starting in August 1988 at Davis Langdon, the leading firm of Quantity Surveyors through to its transition into AECOM in 2010. James spent a number of years with the firm’s sister company, Davis Langdon & Seah, in Singapore in the early 90s, but London was his true home. Upon his return to the UK, James became an Equity Partner within the London office before rising to become a Managing Partner in the early 2000s.

During his career, James has become one of the foremost authorities on Central London office development, proudly serving some of the leading developers including Helical, British Land, Stanhope, Landsec, Crosstree, Lipton Rogers, to name just a few. He has overseen many of the largest and most complex commercial developments in the capital throughout his career, including Core Five’s first significant commission at Creechurch Place for Helical. One of the more rewarding aspects of James’ career is the impact that he and his teams have had on London’s impressive skyline and the relationships he has developed with clients, designers and contractors along the way.

The pinnacle of James’ career, however, has been the development of Core Five and the strength of the teams he has been able to grow and work within. Having been mentored by industry luminaries such as Paul Morrell, James has always been focused on the training and development of teams and individuals. He has been a key figure in the growth of a serious pool of talent within Core Five and remains extremely proud of the strength of our team and its standing within the industry.

Since our inception in 2012, James has been instrumental in shaping the firm, growing it from humble beginnings to a team of over 170 strong, with a projected turnover of £24 million this financial year. We are thrilled to celebrate James’ remarkable legacy and express our heartfelt gratitude for everything he has done for our clients and for making our firm such a wonderful place to work. His dedication, vision, and leadership are truly appreciated, and his influence will be felt for a long time.

While James will be stepping down from his day-to-day activities within the business, we’re excited to share that he will remain a Director of the firm and will continue to advise, assist and support us in a part-time capacity. His invaluable insights and expertise will, therefore, continue to guide us as we navigate the evolving development landscape in the years to come.

So, whilst we look back on a remarkable career, we wish James every happiness in his retirement and are delighted that we will continue to benefit from his wisdom and contribution for some time yet, particularly as we move into our new home in early 2025.

“James has always been a leading light in the industry, no matter which role he undertook. Whether delivering significant schemes that shaped the London skyline at Davis Langdon, growing Core Five into an industry-leading practice, influencing strategy alongside the British Council for Offices, or developing our talent at both individual and team levels, he has consistently focused on developing himself and those around him to be the best they can be.

James is one of the few who have been able to balance the ever-changing needs of our clients and our people, which is a tremendous skill for anyone leading a business. He has also been a strong influence on many key individuals within our industry, including our own management board, several of whom have worked alongside him since they were graduates.

James’s dedication, wisdom, and support have left a lasting impact on us all. His ability to inspire and lead with integrity is something we will always be grateful for. While we are pleased to wish James all the best in his well-deserved retirement, we are even more pleased that we will be able to benefit from his advice and support as we move forward. ”

— Barry Hayden, Core Five Board Member and Founding Partner –