BNP Paribas Real Estate has significantly strengthened its UK Rating team with the appointment of Esther Howard as Director in Sheffield and Andy Boal as Director and Scottish Head of Rating in Glasgow, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to expanding its national business rates expertise and deepening support for occupiers, investors and landlords navigating an increasingly complex rating landscape.
Esther joins with extensive experience in rating and taxation, having held senior roles at Newmark and CBRE. Based in Sheffield, she will play a key role in supporting clients across Yorkshire and the wider North, delivering strategic advice on business rates mitigation, appeals, and liability management.
Andy joins from Shepherds Chartered Surveyors where he was Head of Rating for almost ten years, where he built on more than two decades previous experience advising across rating, valuation, rent reviews and wider property matters. Based in Glasgow, Andy will lead BNP Paribas Real Estate’s rating offer across Scotland, enhancing the firm’s ability to deliver market-leading expertise north of the border at a pivotal time for businesses responding to evolving rates policy.
The appointments follow the recent arrival of Dave Comer, underlining sustained investment in one of the UK’s leading business rates advisory teams as BNP Paribas Real Estate continues to grow its regional presence and specialist capabilities.
Bruce Wilson, Head of Rating at BNP Paribas Real Estate, commented: “Esther and Andy are outstanding additions to our growing UK Rating business. Their appointments reflect both the strength of our ambition and the opportunities we see across regional markets as clients increasingly seek expert, commercially focused advice on business rates. Alongside Dave’s recent arrival, this is another important step in expanding our reach, enhancing our local expertise, and ensuring we continue to provide best-in-class support across the UK.”
Esther Howard added: “BNP Paribas Real Estate has an exceptional reputation in the market, with a clear commitment to delivering expert, strategic advice for clients. I’m excited to join at such an important stage of growth and look forward to helping expand the team’s presence across Yorkshire and the North.”
Andy Boal commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to establish and grow BNP Paribas Real Estate’s rating capability in Scotland. The business has real momentum, a strong national platform and an ambitious vision for the future. I’m looking forward to building on that and delivering outstanding results for clients across Scotland.”
These appointments further strengthen BNP Paribas Real Estate’s specialist Rating team, which combines national scale with deep regional knowledge to help clients manage liabilities, unlock savings and make informed property decisions. The team advises across all aspects of business rates, from appeals and relief strategies to portfolio optimisation, ensuring clients are equipped to respond proactively in a changing economic and regulatory environment.
Esther and Andy’s hires follows Richard Stevens promotion to Head of London Lease Advisory, Liz Cain’s promotion to Head of Birmingham, and Sam Vyas joining as Senior Director within its national Industrial & Logistics Agency team, demonstrating BNP Paribas Real Estate’s continued drive to connect clients with opportunities and sustainable property solutions through expert advice, insight, and financial acumen, supporting them to create long term outperformance and value in a changing world.
