Forsters, a leading London-based real estate and private wealth law firm, has announced the appointment of Victoria Towers as the new Head of Commercial Real Estate (CRE), where she will oversee the firm’s market strategy.
Victoria, a Partner and Co-Head of Forsters’ Industrial & Logistics team, will now lead the CRE practice, which is one of the most prominent real estate practices in the industry. The CRE division is the largest sector within Forsters, with over 120 lawyers solely dedicated to real estate matters.
Having been a Partner at Forsters since 2012, Victoria is highly regarded for her expertise in the rapidly growing Industrial and Logistics sector. She leads multidisciplinary teams on various development transactions, including forward funding, investment acquisitions, disposals, asset management, and corporate-driven transactions. Her clientele includes institutions, pension funds, property companies, charities, and private developers.
Victoria also spearheads Forsters’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives across the broader Real Estate team, which includes Residential and Rural Property. She works strategically with clients to help them meet or exceed the UK’s sustainability targets. She is recognized as a Ranked Lawyer in both the Chambers UK Guide 2023 and Legal 500 2023.
Victoria succeeds Andrew Crabbie, who led the growth of the CRE practice during his five-year tenure. After 26 years with the firm, Andrew will be taking a sabbatical, returning in January 2025 to focus on his real estate investor and developer clients.
In her new role, Victoria will work closely with fellow Co-Head of the Industrial & Logistics team, Magnus Hassett, who also serves as the Group Managing Partner for Commercial Real Estate. While she will continue leading the Industrials & Logistics team, her primary focus will be on expanding key client relationships and driving new business opportunities in the evolving real estate market.
Victoria Towers, Partner and Head of Commercial Real Estate at Forsters, commented: “It is a great privilege to take on this role at such an exciting time for the industry, which faces both challenges and opportunities. Developers and landowners increasingly rely on trusted legal advisors to navigate new legislation in areas such as building safety, biodiversity net gain, renewable energy, and planning. I am proud to lead a talented team well-positioned to accelerate the growth of our multidisciplinary, cross-sector practice.”
Emily Exton, Managing Partner at Forsters, added: “Our strong market knowledge and expert advice are complemented by a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative culture that defines Forsters. Vicki embodies this spirit and is the perfect successor to Andrew, building on his achievements in growing Forsters into one of the market’s leading real estate practices.”