Meet The Team
Having left the world of residential agency and residential property development as Joint CEO of a major listed London agency, Bernard embarked on a solo career in assisting with the disposal of 6 vacant synagogues back in the early 1990s, expecting all 6 to be sold for residential development. When 5 of the 6 were sold for continuous religious use, Bernard noticed there was a gap in the commercial property market, and Bernard Gordon & Co was formed: now one of, if not the market leaders, in all aspects of the former D1/D2 property sector.
Bernard’s long and industrious career, started in 1959 in the commercial agency sector in a City borders general agency, to starting Bernard Gordon & Company in 1993 and finally stepping down in 2022 to become a consultant and advise the team generally and on larger projects. He remains one of the leading experts in the field, and it would be hard to find someone with more experience throughout Greater London and the south east.
Outside of work, you will likely find Bernard fixing his garden, undertaking both minor and major DIY projects, at the archery club, fishing or showing off his latest Marquetry project, or anywhere else his wife has encouraged him to take up since he entered semi-retirement.
Ben joined Bernard in 2011 to assist in expanding the business. Having joined straight from university, Ben benefited from Bernard’s vast knowledge for the first few years before joining as a partner in 2016. Ben will always be grateful to Bernard’s four sons, who showed no interest in the property world and explored careers elsewhere, meaning when Bernard was ready to take a step back in 2022, Ben took over the running of the business.
Ben has huge experience within the commercial property sector, specializing in the former D1 & D2 markets, (now use classes E, F1, F2 and sui generis). He has assisted a number of the now largest day nursery chains find their first and subsequent sites, as well as placing various colleges, universities and religious organizations into buildings in Greater London, Central London and the South East of England and now spends much of his time securing suitable properties for SEN schools up and down the country. This is a market he feels passionately about due to the nature, flexibility and variation of the business. He has vast experience in deals ranging from lettings of £20,000 per annum, ranging up to up to sales in excess of £40 million.
Outside (and sometimes inside) of work, you will find him on the golf course, trying out a new restaurant or following his football team, but at the time of writing, he is not willing to share which team he follows due to their poor form. Ben is extremely grateful to be working within the former D1/D2 sector, now E/F1&F2, and the special opportunities afforded in meeting such incredible people from such various different fields within the world of religion, day nurseries, medicine, education, fitness/sports, and the occasional celebrity along the way.
Ben joined Bernard Gordon & Co in January 2019 after passing the initial interview stage of ensuring he shared a name and initials with both partners at the time. Ben joined the team straight from school with limited knowledge of the property world but with a huge appetite for learning. Sadly, Ben had to deal with the fallout of Brexit, followed by a 6-month period on furlough, meaning his start at the company was challenging, to say the least.
Today, however, Ben is actively assisting nurseries and schools with their expansion programs, as well as being heavily involved in the medical and religious market. He focuses on creating and putting deals together with clients and applicants, ensuring for the most part everyone walks away with a successful deal. He has built relationships with some of the largest businesses and organizations within our sector and is regularly building new relationships to further the reach of Bernard Gordon & Co.
Outside of work, you will find Ben in the gym for 2 weeks at a time every 4-6 months, or following his beloved Arsenal. He regularly socializes with his large group of close friends and enjoys traveling.