New promotion at Cooke & Arkwright

3 November 2020
  • Rhian Howells Cooke & Arkwright Land Agency

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Cooke & Arkwright has promoted Rhian Howells in its Land Agency department to the position of Associate. Rhian joined the firm in 2015 having previously been a commercial real estate solicitor with an international law firm.

Rhian subsequently gained her MSc in Rural Land and Business Management, became a Member of the RICS and a RICS Registered Valuer, and most recently a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (FAAV).

Chris Hyde, Director of Land Agency said, “Rhian’s promotion is richly deserved and is testament to the hard work and dedication she’s shown since starting at Cooke & Arkwright.  I am really pleased for her.”

Rhian commented, “I’m thrilled to have been promoted. It has been a tough year with the sad death of our much-admired Director, Rod Perons, and with the all-pervasive coronavirus. However, our Land Agency team has bonded together more than ever and worked exceptionally hard to maintain our positive and enjoyable work environment, both remotely and in the office. A special shout-out goes to our favourite cavapoochon puppy, Dougie, who has contributed particularly well as the new team mascot!

“I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the Land Agency team, including providing support to our Director, Chris Hyde. Year on year I’ve become increasingly client-facing and have been involved with greater responsibilities within the firm, which are aspects of the role I’ve always enjoyed and hope to continue.”

Cooke & Arkwright have been providing rating valuation advice to The Welsh Rugby Union Limited (“WRU”) and Millennium Stadium plc for many years. They were recently successful in achieving substantial reductions in the assessments of the Millennium Stadium, covering both the 2005 and 2010 rating list. These negotiated reductions yielded savings of c.£3.5m which, crucially, allows the WRU to re-invest in rugby throughout Wales. They advise the WRU across the group portfolio including the National Centre of Excellence in the Vale of Glamorgan. The valuation issues across the WRU portfolio are complex requiring a high level of understanding of the funding and finances of professional sport in Wales. Cooke & Arkwright’s experience and understanding of these issues and application to the rating valuation have yielded these substantial negotiated reductions. The WRU and the Millennium Stadium entrust our work to organisations with the required levels in experience and expertise in dealing with these complex issues. I am glad to say we have this expertise in Wales. I would have no hesitation in recommending ratepayers making use of this Welsh based expertise.

The Welsh Rugby Union Limited, Welsh Rugby Union Group