Robert Evans, Partner of Argent and Related Argent and instrumental in the delivery of the King’s Cross Estate, one of the UK’s most successful redevelopments and regeneration programmes, is set to leave at the end of 2023 after an esteemed 23-year career with the company.
With the King’s Cross Estate in its final stages of development, including its 50th and final building due to start construction next year, Robert believed it was the right time to pursue new challenges.
Robert joined the company in 2001 and formally became the first CEO of the King’s Cross Estate in 2018. In 2020 until May 2023, Robert was Joint-Managing Partner of Argent alongside Nick Searl.
Robert was also an important member of the Partner leadership team that established the Related Argent business in 2016, and which has secured new projects including Brent Cross Town, Tottenham Hale and the build-to-rent development, Author King’s Cross, which opened its doors in October 2023.
On the 1st of May 2024, the Argent business will transfer all projects and employees to Related Argent Limited and the current five Partners will become Executive Directors. Tom Goodall, Managing Director of Related Argent will lead the overall company from 1st May 2024. The Related Argent business will be an integrated developer, owner, operator with a £9Bn+ pipeline including its major mixed-use developments and expanding build-to-rent portfolio. In addition, Related Argent will continue Argent’s work as the development and asset manager of the King’s Cross estate and St Pancras Hospital development on behalf of King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP), alongside its own major mixed-use developments and expanding build-to-rent portfolio. David Partridge, who was previously Managing Partner of the Argent business and one of the founding members of the King’s Cross development will remain as Chairman of Related Argent and take over Robert’s leadership responsibilities at King’s Cross.
Robert joined Argent from a planning and environmental consultancy as a Project Manager, principally to work on King’s Cross. He co-authored the ‘Principles for a Human City’ that have since guided the King’s Cross regeneration. He has subsequently had various leadership roles on King’s Cross, spanning land, consultation and planning through to the design and delivery of mixed-use buildings and public space, sales and leasing and asset management.
As CEO of the King’s Cross Estate, Robert had overall responsibility for the business plan, the performance of asset management, development management and specialist teams and reporting to investors. He led the team that has established King’s Cross as one of the best places to live in the UK (The Times) and one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world (Time Out).
Robert also led the successful bid by KCCLP to become the Development Partner at St Pancras Hospital for Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I), part of the North London Mental Health Partnership. The project forms part of C&I’s Transformation Programme to deliver improved mental health services across Camden and Islington and will also deliver much needed workspace including space for start-ups, new homes, retail and improved public spaces in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter.
Robert also helped found the King’s Cross Academy School in September 2015 and remains a member of the King’s Cross Academy Trust and co-chair of Governors at the school.
Sir David Clementi, Chairman of the King’s Cross Partnership said: “Robert has played a key role for over twenty years in the planning and development of the King’s Cross Estate and has acted as CEO for the last five years. We are immensely grateful to Robert for his enormous contribution and wish him well for the future.”
Chris Taylor, CEO Real Estate and Head of Private Markets for Federated Hermes said: “Robert has been instrumental in overseeing the implementation of the King’s Cross Estate Business Plan, delivering upon the principles of the ‘Human City’ which he co-authored two decades ago. A remarkable achievement and a global exemplar in sustainable placemaking. Robert has shown an absolute conviction for delivering King’s Cross as a truly inclusive Estate with engagement with all stakeholders, not least the local communities who have benefited so much from this truly remarkable transformation project.”
Tom Goodall, Managing Director of Related Argent said: “Along with my fellow Partners, I would like to thank Robert for the immeasurable contribution he has made to the success of our business over more than two decades. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together and the strong foundations that Robert has helped build to ensure the future success of Related Argent.”
Robert Evans said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the Argent team that achieved so much at King’s Cross, Manchester, Birmingham and elsewhere and to help set up Related Argent, which is going from strength to strength at Tottenham Hale and Brent Cross Town. I have worked with some brilliant people in my 23 years – undoubtedly some of the best in the industry. King’s Cross has been its own, incredible journey and together we have created something truly special.
“King’s Cross is cited regularly as a benchmark for development and regeneration; and often welcomes visitors from other cities, across the world, to share our approach to place-making and social value and our path to net zero carbon. King’s Cross has defined my professional life and that of many colleagues and we could not be prouder of it. I would like to thank all of my colleagues, our investors, contractors and other partners for all their support along the way.”