Partner Spotlight – Davenport Associates
When it comes to property projects, the complexities and intricacies are plentiful. That’s why choosing the right project management and cost consultancy firm is key. As chartered property professionals specialising in the prime residential market, Davenport Associates have the expertise and depth of understanding to offer a tailored service, ensuring projects run smoothly, on time and on budget.
To find out more about the services that Davenport Associates offer we sat down with Managing Director, Ross Van Ot, to talk about how Davenport was born, why they choose to be a deliberately small firm and how the ‘meticulous service’ of his expert team can make substantial projects seem like light work for support staff…
Let’s start with how it all began. Could you give us a bit of back story as to how Davenport Associates started?
Simon Davenport founded the company in 2009, to provide private clients with independent advice in relation to residential property projects. Simon recognised that clients were somewhat exposed, since the private sector has historically lacked some of the rigour that exists in commercially driven projects. He began by assisting a private family client with a major project in Chelsea. This was followed by other projects, for the same family. We took on our first project in the country in 2012, and ever since our portfolio has remained a mix of projects both in London and in the country. I joined the company in 2017, introducing quantity surveying services, and in 2021, took over the reins from Simon, who stepped down entirely from the day to day dealings of the business.
You describe yourself as a ‘niche firm of chartered property professionals specialising in the prime residential market’. Elaborating on this, what it is that sets you apart from your competitors?
Davenport is a deliberately small firm, to enable a highly personal approach with all clients. I am very detail orientated, and oversee all projects, with other members of the team supporting me on day-to-day delivery. I ensure that I always have capacity for in-depth knowledge about each of our projects, and am closely connected to the clients, and /or their support staff, for the full duration. The team is made up only of Seniors, no Juniors, and as such delivers a consistently meticulous service which is typically demanded by our high/ultra-high net worth client base. The company was established to protect private clients, and as such will always remain fiercely independent.
As well as your own specialist team you also work alongside leading interior designers and architects. How do you decide who is the right fit for a collaboration and what is it that you specifically look for?
Ideally, we are involved with projects from the very beginning. This enables us to advise on the design team, as well as the likely cost and programme. We are closely connected to numerous best-in-class architects and interior designers, as well as, for example, garden designers, audio-visual specialists, surveyors and heritage consultants. Every project and every client is different, and our design team recommendations are always tailored. We consider stylistic preferences, the size and scale of a practice and their ability to deliver, the likely fees and of course the chemistry. Building or refurbishing a private home can take a good few years and it makes all the difference to work with professionals who clients and their support staff like, trust, and feel wholly supported by.
In what ways do Davenport Associates make a private client and their support staff’s life easier when taking on a project?
I will respond to this question by quoting a PA who I have worked closely with over the last few years. She was given a great deal of responsibility by her Principal to oversee the delivery of a substantial project, creating a 12,000 sq. ft new build family home in London. Following the project, she said: “It was because of Ross, who was so organised, that I got on top of everything. Ross helped me to build a structure, so for example I could easily see what had been paid so far, and what was remaining to be paid. It provided such a comfort to me, and he helped me to set up systems that meant I didn’t need to be dependent on him, because he had explained everything so well, and I really understood what was going on”.
Could you tell us about a particularly unique project or one that stands out in your mind as being extra special?
There are many I could mention but will highlight one of our current projects, which is located in Ireland, and extensive. It is a project that will span a number of years, and our client is strongly motivated to regenerate the estate with huge sensitivity to the historic fabric, and to the local community. This is hugely gratifying, and we are enjoying working closely with the clients’ representative on the many decisions that must be made on (almost) a daily basis.
And finally, are there any exciting developments in the pipeline for Davenport Associates that you would like to share with the BBB community?
I am in the process of growing the team, which is exciting. Not on a scale that detracts from what we are all about, but just to enable us to have a little more capacity, since demand is strong. In addition, we are delighted to have access to some wonderful images from a recently completed project and I look forward to sharing these publicly soon. Since we work predominantly on private homes, we are very often restricted from sharing images. Therefore, I am particularly excited about being able to share a new example of our work in the months ahead.
For more information on the services of Davenport Associates please contact, Emily.
222 Kensal Rd,
London,
W10 5BN
T: +44207 138 3556
