Proximity announces senior hire and launches London office
Specialist Chartered Surveyor Proximity has further strengthened its senior team with a London hire and has opened a new office in the city.
Desrine Oak joins Proximity as Associate Director following roles with Project and Building Consultancy, Hollis and Deloitte. She will work alongside co-founders Mike Scanlan and Tom Kibblewhite to build the business’ presence in the capital.
Proximity is headquartered in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, where it was launched in November 2022. It opened its second office in Birmingham in August 2024, appointing Associate Director, Rob Rankine to support its growth in the Midlands.
An award-winning Proximity Risk project consultancy, the team work with property developers across the UK, identifying, measuring and mitigating the risk associated with rights of light, party walls, daylight, sunlight and solar glare amenity impacts. Its clients include HBD, , Moda, Muse, Property Alliance Group, Cole Waterhouse, and Jarron Developments.
Proximity has long championed a move away from the use of the term "Neighbourly Matters" believing it to be an ineffective and misleading moniker for describing the above risk issues preferring the use of the idiom Proximity Risk.
Mike Scanlan, Director of Proximity, said: “We’re fortunate to have attracted some really talented people since launching Proximity, building a brilliant team delivering great quality work. It’s fantastic to now have Desrine on board to support us in London – she brings a wealth of experience and I’ve no doubt she will be a real asset as the business continues to grow.”
He continued: “Much like our decision to open our second office in Birmingham last year, our presence in London was driven by the want to add the right people to Proximity, regardless of geography. We have always worked across the UK but having boots on the ground in the Midlands and South makes us more efficient and should open up new opportunities for us in terms of business generation and further recruitment."
Desrine Oak commented: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Proximity team, drawing on my years of experience and network across the industry to support both Mike and Tom as they launch the new London office and look to expand Proximity’s presence across the South. It’s an exciting opportunity to join a successful, growing business, and I look forward to getting started.”