Iain Mercer BA, AssocRICS

Experience

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  Scot FM

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1999

  General news and sports freelancer
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  BBC

  Jun 1998 - Aug 1998

  Sports News Assistant

  Selected by BBC Executives at BBC Sport/5 Live to join the department and write a number of new documentary programmes. Played an active role in the sports news department both at Broadcasting House and Television Centre.

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  Radio Forth

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  Broadcast Journalist

  A roving reporter in and around east central Scotland covering a whole range of stories. Was also part of the Super Scoreboard team providing live football coverage every weekend. My roles included reporting, presenting and commentating. I was part of a teriffic team of talented journalists who have all gone on to bigger and better things in the world of broadcasting.

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  Talk Sport

  Jun 1999 - Aug 1999

  Sports Broadcaster and Producer

  Initially given a role on the sports desk to research and produce output, but was handed the opportunity by station head Kelvin McKenzie to broadcast live sport bulletins.I was also a co-presenter of the inaugural 'Scottish football' webcast. Talk Sport was one of the first commercial radio stations to embrace online radio so it was .

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  Wright and Partners

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2002

  Secondment

  Broad training in property including management, investment, development and agency

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  Almondale Investments/Cosmopolitan Investments

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2006

  Director

  Duties included general portfolio/asset management and broad experience of direct development work.

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  Almondale Group

  Mar 2006 - Jun 2014

  Group Managing Director

  I was involved in all areas of the Group's activities and oversaw the growth and development of three subsidiary companies. Key highlights, include:• Created and implemented strategic changes which were vital in turning a £600,000 Group loss into £250,000 profit within 3-years.• Developed excellent business relationships with 70 commercial tenants.• Was responsible for implementing lease transactions exceeding 500,000 sq ft across a range of assets.• Successfully delivered the strategic sale of 12 individual properties (approx. value £6m) over an 18-month period (2011-2013) and managed to exceed expected forecast.• Direct experience of asset managing a diverse property portfolio which included: commercial/office premises, retail units/parades and industrial warehouses. • Was adept at leading a team of up to 20 professionals in structuring and coordinating complex property transactions.• Can demonstrate direct property development experience in overseeing complex construction projects valued in excess of £15m.• Worked closely with the Group Finance Director to set annual budget and revenue targets.• Initiated a pioneering marketing campaign involving social media to re-let a vacant office building in Edinburgh. Show less

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  Quill Content

  Jan 2014 - May 2018

  Freelance business and finance writer

  I am a featured business and finance writer for Quill-Content, a London-based content marketing agency. They were recently voted as one of Britain's most innovative and fast-growth businesses.I write articles on a range of entrepreneurial tech and e-commerce businesses located across Europe and Africa which are featured by Julie Meyer's Entrepreneur Country Global and Ariadne Capital. The articles are read by over 70,000 startup companies and focus primarily on developing ecosystems in cities like Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Oslo and London Also, I am a freelance writer for the City of Edinburgh Coucil-backed website Connect at West Edinburgh (www.westedinburgh.com), a regular contributor to The Scotsman and its sister papers on topics relevant to the commercial property industry and have also written for BQ Magazine. Show less

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  Elm. Edinburgh

  Jun 2014 - now

  Founder and Owner

  The company was founded in 2014 by the recognised property entrepreneur, Iain Mercer. He continues to apply the depth of knowledge and expertise gained during his time at the Almondale Group for elm.Edinburgh and their clients. Iain draws on 15-years' experience; 8 of which were spent at Almondale's helm driving forward a £1m turnover business during a deep economic recession. elm. Edinburgh was formed to become a consultancy business; active in property and media related projects. It is currently achieving these objectives with activity in commercial property, PR and residential sales consultancy for the multi-service law firm Gilson Gray LLP. elm. Edinburgh also provides a bespoke PR service to clients in the property and construction sector and can deliver creative digital marketing packages in partnership with The Covey Agency. Show less

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  IME Property

  Sept 2014 - Mar 2018

  Managing Director

  In the autumn of 2014 I took on the role of Managing Director at IME Property in Edinburgh. Whilst the IME name had been known in Edinburgh for over 25 years (residential lettings/sales, preservation services etc), IME Property was a new start commercial agency formed in March 2014.My role, initially, was to lead the business through a significant period of change, including a relocation of the head office back to Tollcross. From there we became the only commercial property agency in Edinburgh to have a shop front offering a direct connection to the public who could walk in with their instructions.I was proud to play a leading role in driving forward the IME business during which the agency became an established and recognised player in the local commercial property market. Our achievements included:* Nominated finalists in the Best New Business category at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2016* Finalists at the Scottish Property Awards in 2016, 2017 and 2018 including a double nomination in 2018: Rising Star of the Year and Hotel, Leisure and Retail Agency Team of the Year.* Confirmed as a Top 5 Winner by Estates Gazette in their Most Active Agent Competition in October 2017 Show less

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  Gilson Gray LLP

  Nov 2014 - Oct 2019

  Property Consultant

  I am currently a Property Consultant to Scotland's fastest growing multi-award winning law firm, Gilson Gray LLP. I was initially brought in to work alongside the residential sales team and help develop the firm's brand recognition in East Lothian but my remit extends to all areas. As part of the project I sourced and established the firm's first shop window in Haddington where new property listings could be viewed. It is hugely refreshing to be working with an inspired group of people who all share a clear vision and entrepreneurial approach to business and their clients. Show less

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  Allied Surveyors Scotland

  Apr 2018 - now

  In the spring of 2018 I was appointed by the Board of Allied Surveyors Scotland plc to set up the firm's first commercial agency presence in Edinburgh. Based out of townhouse offices in Walker Street, the commercial agency will provide an extension to the firm's existing commercial services which include valuation, building surveying, project management and energy performance certificates.Should you have any instructions you wish to discuss then please do contact me on the following contact details: iain.mercer@alliedsurveyorsscotland.com or 0131 357 4455. Show less

  • Head of Commercial Agency - Scotland

    Oct 2024 - now

  • Director of Commercial Agency (East)

    Apr 2018 - Oct 2024