Overview

The Howard Group has a distinguished history of commercial property development built up over many years. Over recent years, development has been a core focus for the business. Today the Group is widely acknowledged as one of the leading developers in the East of England.The Company is highly experienced and financially strong.

A considerable proportion of the Group's current investment portfolio has, to a large extent, been developed by using Group resources and utilising its existing land bank. This portfolio includes shopping centres and retail parks, industrial estates, distribution warehouse units and office developments. Over many years, the company has periodically developed specific assets with a view to retaining these within the investment portfolio. This theme continues today.

In 2006 the Group took a strategic decision to focus on property development as a core function. As a result, a designated property development arm - HPG Developments was formed and a Development Director appointed to help drive future growth.

HPG Developments has 3 distinct types of activities:

• In-house Developer: HPG Developments acts as the development partner for those properties and land assets held within The Howard Group's investment portfolio requiring redevelopment. Working as an in house development resource with the property investment team to enhance existing assets, this arrangement ensures good quality developments resulting in solid rental income and growth.
  
  
  
• Investment Developer: HPG Developments acquires land from the open market and takes on the a traditional developer role. Having developed out a site, HPG will then either trade this investment or transfer the property into the Group investment portfolio for the longer term.
  
  
  
  
  
• Strategic Partner: HPG Developments seeks to form strategic partnerships where development opportunities present themselves which are either too complex or large for the company to undertake on its own. Such partnerships may be in the form of a traditional joint venture or perhaps a promotion arrangement with one or more landowners. Increasingly, HPG is working with land owners who wish to participate in projects but lack the development skills or financial strength. This is an area of particular focus and opportunity currently for HPG.
  
  
  

The HPG Developments Board comprises both Main Holding Board Directors as well as executive and non-executive property specialists. Its financial strength and robust development pipeline means that this part of the Howard Group has grown significantly and is increasingly representing a major percentage of the Group's overall business.

The knowledge, expertise and base of contacts within the property investment arena puts HPG in a strong position to be able to assess the long term development potential of many projects as well as make decisive acquisition decisions often at very short notice.