National property consultancy appoints new finance director

Leading property consultancy and chartered surveyors the Barnsdales Group has hired seasoned financial professional Ian Dickinson as its new finance & operations director.

Ian, who has over 16 years of experience managing finance in the property sector, will oversee budgets and forecast essential financial trends for the growing business, which recently established its first London office.

Jason Barnsdale, Group Managing Director at Barnsdales, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Ian to Barnsdales’ growing team during a tremendously exciting time for the business. I’m delighted to have him on board and look forward to entering a new era of growth with the right people and the right ethos driving us forward.”

With industry experts such as Ian managing the firm’s finances, Barnsdales is well-positioned to navigate industry challenges at a time when the availability of commercial property - particularly logistics - is at a premium.

Speaking of his appointment, Ian Dickinson, Finance & Operations Director at Barnsdales, said: “I’m excited to be joining Barnsdales at what is an interesting time for the UK property market. We’re in the middle of a unique convergence of economic pressures, with price and cost inflation, skilled labour shortage and mortgage rates all putting the sector under strain - but that also creates opportunities for growth in the industry.”

Ian added: “It’s fascinating really; logistics has never been so closely linked to residential property. For example, for every new house that’s built in 2024, the equivalent of 65 ft of warehouse space has to be created to supply the on-line retail demand. This is primarily because shopping habits have changed dramatically in the past few years - put simply, people don’t go to shops anymore.”

The former managing and finance director of Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, Ian has held a number of senior roles in industry, having originally trained with Ernst & Young.

With industry experience backed up by a degree in accounting, financial management and economics from The University of Sheffield, Ian is especially optimistic about the future of the firm.

Ian added: “I’ve worked in the property business for 16 years and part of what attracted me to this role was reputation. I’d heard of Jason Barnsdale and we get on particularly well, which is vital for an honest and impactful working relationship.

“It’s a property-based business and ultimately I think that presents a great deal of opportunity - especially in the current economic climate with such high demand for property.”

Ian’s appointment marks the second recent high-profile hire of the firm, coming shortly after it was announced that former RICS President, Professor Graham Chase, has joined as its head of valuations.

Barnsdales now has a team of experienced property professionals with offices in Doncaster, Sheffield, Bristol, Cirencester, Manchester, Nottingham, Lincoln, and London.