As a boutique operation, we take a hands-on approach, forming a meticulous knowledge of each property under management. This enables us to pro-actively anticipate and capitalise on opportunities for value enhancement, whether through rental or capital growth. In addition, our talented team has acquired a reputation for its innovative solutions and win-win philosophy, even transforming an asset’s hurdles into platforms that enhance value.

After more than 20 years of solution-orientated operations, we have developed a stellar track record and extensive network within the UK commercial real estate realm. Internally, we have built robust systems and procedures that promote the highest standards of professionalism and performance.

The unique advantages borne of the above philosophy are Trust, Business Intelligence, Innovative Solutions, and a Culture of Performance.

Trust is a currency that cannot be bought, but can only be earned.

Over the past 20 years, our team has proven its trustworthiness for professionalism and performance to all stakeholders, including clients, lenders and tenants.

National and international banks have recognised the vision and strength in our business plans, giving them the confidence to move forward with us, even during the challenging recessionary periods.

We work with our tenants to execute bespoke solutions for property requirements, which often leads to achieving favourable lease terms. As a result, our clients have come to trust us to provide stable and often above-market returns for their capital.

Trust is the foundation of our lasting and winning relationships.  It is one of our greatest strengths that we continuously nurture at every opportunity.

In seeking the strongest results for clients, we complement our team’s in-house expertise and experience with that of external advisors. We careful evaluate every situation to select the best advisors for each unique scenario, whenever necessary.

Over the years we have developed a valuable network of consultants and advisors across the entire spectrum. Each of their specialisms brings additional knowledge, skills and expertise to complement our highly experienced team.

A sample selection of our professional network, including financial institutions, consultants, lenders and tenants we have worked with, is available on our Associations page.

The opportunities of greatest value are the least known and the shortest lived.

In order to stay cognisant of valuable opportunities, we place great importance on gathering cutting-edge intelligence when evaluating a potential acquisition.  We continue intelligence gathering throughout the asset management phases through to exit.

Acquisitions
For acquisitions, we employ two forms of intelligence gathering: digital and human. We invest in access to high-end real estate databases that keep our team alert to invaluable property opportunities as they come to market.

In addition, we have developed an extensive network of human relationships that are invaluable to the process. A combination of this key information has enabled us to often make acquisitions before they have been formally marketed, sometimes even below market prices.

Based on the gathered intelligence, our team then evaluates opportunities in an iterative process.  The vetting procedures include a series of stringent criteria, assessment through digital modelling and forecasting and input from experienced team members and external advisors. Our refined appraisal procedures distill valuable business intelligence into the most promising acquisition opportunities for our clients.

See our business intelligence in action – Case Study: Strong Relationships Yield Off-market Acquisition

Management
True value enhancement cannot be forced or squeezed from a property or its tenants; it must be skilfully cultivated.

Our hands-on, pro-active approach to asset management begins with a stringently tested vision for growth

Our hands-on, pro-active approach to asset management begins with a stringently tested vision for growth, based on a meticulous knowledge of each property.  We then build upon our research through open communication with tenants and other stakeholders such as local councils and neighbouring landlords, keeping a steady pulse on tenants’ needs.

Our smaller operation affords us the agility to turn a tenant’s unexpected requirements and challenges into platforms for value enhancement through a personal focus.  This is an advantage often not fully exploited by larger asset management firms.

See our business intelligence in action – Case Study: Reputation and Business Intel Crystallise into Winning Strategy

Industry-standard growth projections can only provide industry-standard returns.

Our reputation for top quality asset management reflects our reliable fulfilment of management duties.  Yet what has pushed our track record above the curve is our ability to creatively turn unexpected challenges from potential losses into unforeseen gains.  This has time and again directly contributed to significant growth in our portfolio’s bottom line.

Asset management firms are often unable, or unwilling, to collaborate with stakeholders, discover their needs, and think outside of the box for creative solutions that benefit everyone.  It is not an easy task.  Such innovation only emerges as an outgrowth of our other aforementioned unique advantages: Trust, Business Intelligence and a Culture of Performance.

See our innovative solutions in action – Case Study: Tenant’s Pain Becomes Gain for All

A company’s culture drives its overall velocity—its actions and its results.

Asset management firms typically charge a client based on their performance, tying the firm’s fees to the returns they provide the client.  Over the past 20 years, we have developed a culture of performance that reaches beyond standard performance-based fees. Our fee structure is designed to highly incentivise us, such that we have become our own best competitor.

As a complement to fee incentivisation, our firm often acquires a small ownership stake in new acquisitions (subject to mutual interest and agreement).  This shared stake ensures that our organisation and/or its principals bear exposure to the same calculated strategy as our clients.

Individually, there is a high level of motivation towards achieving Hallmark’s goals, with much cross collaboration and regular internal team meetings.  Indeed, Hallmark’s offices have been designed in an open plan form to encourage this work environment.  Team members are thereby well equipped to uphold Hallmark’s high standards, in terms of both performance and ethics.

The outcome of our performance culture is a highly motivated and devoted team that works with diligence, professionalism, creativity, teamwork, and (very importantly) excitement.  Wherever quality can be increased, timing optimised, solutions formulated, value added or costs reduced, our entire staff is on point, pushing for maximum results.

See our culture of performance in action – Case Study: Potential Loss During Global Recession Ends in Substantial Profit