Pictured above: Phillip Taylor (left) and members of his asset management team at Colmore Row

A Midlands asset management team has managed to double the size of its staff in just two years - despite the onset of the recession.

The team is a key part of the Birmingham office of Cushman & Wakefield, which is located throughout the world, but only established a base in the Midlands during 2008.

The firm's Colmore Row based asset management team - headed by Phillip Taylor - is now 60 strong, and includes surveyors, accountants, facilities managers, health and safety experts, and support staff. 

The team is responsible for looking after a wide portfolio of local and national instructions, and its client list includes blue chip names such as Standard Life Investments, Aviva Investors, Rockspring LLP, IM Properties, Royal and Sun Alliance and Land Securities.

In the past year the team has a won considerable amount of work, despite the effects of the economic downturn, and is looking to expand further, with new opportunities in the pipeline.

Phillip Taylor said: "The asset management team only opened for business in earnest in September 2008.

"We believe we have already become a force to be reckoned with, not just in Birmingham but the wider Midlands as well.

"We have a very considerable team, which has a wealth of experience, and that has been reflected by the quality of the instructions we have won in the past year.

"The fact that we have managed to do this against the backdrop of the worst recession for many years underlines how ambitious we are to succeed in this demanding market."