about
We source and identify properties in our area of expertise where value can be added. With our partners, we prepare an asset management and development plan to enhance each opportunity. Through our planning expertise we add space where appropriate. Working with a range of consultants we invest in the core infrastructure of each property. We form lasting relationships with our occupiers to maximise longevity and quantum of income. We aim to create long term shareholder value and excellent returns in each opportunity.
​Mendip Capital is run by James Birkett who has been active in the Central London market for 30 years. A chartered surveyor, he spent the first 18 years of his career with CBRE, latterly as a partner in the West End business team. There, he was responsible for major development projects, advising property companies, land owners and international institutions. In the mid 1990s James was seconded to the London Docklands Development Corporation where he led the 30 strong development and property team. He was responsible for the success of a number of regeneration projects including West India Quay and a range of schemes in the Royal Docks.​
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In 1997 James was appointed Sales and Marketing Director of Arlington Securities PLC, the UK's leading Business Park provider. Working with the senior management team he successfully rebranded the company to reflect the organisation's commitment to occupiers as the key relationship of the business.

In 2003 he joined Land Securities PLC where he managed their £1.5bn West End portfolio. Among other projects, he completed a total review of Devonshire House, a fully let office and retail property in Mayfair. James appointed a new development team and created and implemented a medium term strategic refurbishment plan, to improve performance. He worked with the existing tenants including Alliance Bernstein, Egon Zehnder and Bain Capital to ensure that the property strategy ran in parallel with their business requirements. As a result of a 3 year programme a number of lettings in the building achieved top Mayfair rents. The subsequent sale of building more than doubled the value within 3 years.

Prior to setting up Mendip Capital, James ran the Canary Wharf office of Knight Frank. There he broadened the business base by diversifying into non cyclical areas. He won major new instructions for the business including a 250,000 sq ft regeneration project in Greenwich. During this time he tripled business order revenues for the firm and secured the highest number of transactions in the Docklands market for 4 out of 5 quarters.