Huntsmead Partners was founded in 2017 by Barnaby Joy and Thomas Brown. Originally a real estate developer, we have evolved into a specialist capital fundraising and advisory firm.

With a track record approaching £1bn in transactions and development, our management team is uniquely positioned to advise developers and investors on optimal funding structures. Over the years, we have built the deep market network of funding contacts one would expect from experienced development principals. Our clients include developers, UHNWs, family offices, and private equity firms.

What sets us apart analytically is our ability to understand real estate from both the asset and corporate perspective – a skill honed through our own experience as a developer, combined with the legal and accounting backgrounds of our management team. This allows us to think laterally and approach complex situations with a depth of insight that pure advisory firms often lack. For us, complexity means opportunity.

We take a genuinely hands-on approach, assisting clients throughout the entire capital raising and development process – from initial underwriting to exit. Typically, we advise on debt and equity raises of £10m and above, with the largest so far being £250m.

Alongside our advisory work, we continue to invest in real estate as principals and occasionally lend our own capital into special situations.

Barnaby started his career as a finance lawyer at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer before moving into real estate development and construction in 2003. With over 25 years of finance experience, he has held senior management roles in the UK and internationally. Prior to founding Huntsmead Partners in 2017, he was Chief Investment Officer and a main board member at F3GROUP, an innovative development and construction management firm.

From 2011 to 2017, Barnaby was co-owner of prime residential developer Tenhurst, growing the business from a start-up to overseeing projects worth more than £400 million.

Earlier in his career, he co-founded Echo Barrier, now one of the world’s leading construction noise attenuation companies. He also spent 6 years in Dubai, growing various development and construction-related businesses. Barnaby holds an MA in Law from Magdalene College, Cambridge, and a postgraduate diploma from the London College of Law.

Outside of work, Barnaby practices daily meditation and enjoys all sport, particularly skiing.

THOMAS BROWN, FOUNDING PARTNER

A chartered accountant, Thomas began his career in 2008 with Deloitte, where he spent 5 years working predominantly with real estate clients.

Prior to founding Huntsmead Partners, Thomas was Investment Manager at F3GROUP, working closely with Barnaby on a range of development opportunities. Prior to that, he was UK Head of Finance for Far East Consortium, where he led the £30 million development financing for the Dorsett Hotel, Aldgate.

From 2013 to 2016, Thomas worked for Hammerson plc, leading the finance function for the development team. This included £250 million of onsite developments. In 2015, he was promoted to lead the finance team on the £1.5 billion redevelopment of the Whitgift Shopping Centre, Croydon – a joint venture between Westfield and Hammerson.

Thomas holds a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Birmingham.

Outside of work, Thomas is a keen footballer and athlete, with a sometimes inexplicable commitment to supporting Peterborough United.

Role – asset manager.   This major residential regeneration site in central Croydon was acquired with private investor backing in 2018.   Planning has been submitted for 445 apartments, including a substantial amount of affordable housing.

With 80 private flats to acquire on the existing estate, community engagement and understanding has been paramount.

ST THOMAS STREET, BRISTOL

Role – development manager.   Consent was obtained in 2017 to demolish the existing 4 storey office block and deliver 357 student apartments over 8 storeys, together with parking and amenity space.   Completed in 2021, with a GDV of £60m.

THE SLOANE BUILDING, CHELSEA

Role – developer.   This listed former Edwardian school was acquired in 2012 and planning then secured for conversion into 18 imposing apartments over 50,000 sqft, including a new structure at the rear of the building and underground parking.   Completed in 2019, with a GDV of more than £100m.

THE KING’S CHAPEL, CHELSEA

Role – developer.   Also acquired in 2012, planning consent was secured to convert this listed chapel into 2 large houses, totalling 15,500 sqft.   The houses include underground leisure facilities, off street parking and landscaped gardens, with the interiors delivered by leading international designers.   Completed in 2019, with a GDV of more than £20m.

DORSETT HOTEL, ALDGATE

Role – debt financing and monitoring.   A £30m debt facility was arranged for the development of this leading city hotel in 2017, which subsequently completed in 2018, comprising 267 rooms over 13 storeys.   GDV is confidential.

DOVEHOUSE SQUARE, CHELSEA

Role – design and planning consultancy.   Consent was obtained for this market leading Auriens luxury retirement scheme in 2017.   Comprising 55 apartments and extensive amenity space over 130,000 sqft, this ground-breaking scheme completed in 2021.   GDV is confidential.

GLEN HOUSE, SOUTH KENSINGTON

Role – developer.   Originally acquired in 2011, consent was obtained to demolish this 1930’s office building, retaining the flagship Ferrari showroom on the ground and lower ground floors, and delivering 2 floors of offices and 3 floors of residential above.   Placed into a new joint venture in 2014, this 45,000 sqft / £70m scheme was sold post demolition in 2018.

WHITGIFT SHOPPING CENTRE, CROYDON

Role – development and compulsory purchase appraisal.   Between 2015 and 2016, the feasibility analysis was redone for this £1.4bn retail joint venture between Hammerson plc and Westfield (now the Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Group), covering both the development itself and the complicated compulsory purchase process supported by the London Borough of Croydon.   This once in a generation project was due to start on site in 2020 as a central part of the continuing development of this dynamic part of London.

AUDLEY SQUARE CAR PARK, MAYFAIR

Role – opportunity identification and acquisition. This site was acquired on behalf of Caudwell Properties in 2011 for circa £150m, the largest UK residential development acquisition of that year.   The resulting development, due for completion in 2026, is set to be one of London’s finest, comprising 29 extraordinary residences.