Colliers International has strengthened its Bristol-based hospitality team with the appointment of Ed Jefferson.

Mr Jefferson, formerly with Sidney Phillips, will take over the South West territory south of the M4. A fully Qualified Chartered Surveyor, MRICS, he attended Oxford Brookes University and is also a Fellow of the Association of Valuers of Licensed Property.

He said: “I am excited at the prospect of joining Colliers in the key South West hospitality sector, which is certainly living up to the optimistic forecasts reported earlier in the year. Activity over the last few months has been incredibly strong.

“Many resorts have been busy. Operators are having a great year as the number of people preferring to take staycations has increased while the number of foreign tourists taking advantage of favourable exchange rates has soared in direct proportion.”

Peter Brunt, Hotels director, added: “After a successful start to the year, we are predicting that the market will remain robust and are anticipating further high levels of activity throughout 2017.

“Ed brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked for Sidney Phillips for seven years - and he knows his way around this terrifically busy part of the country.”

Also joining the Bristol-based hotels team is Sarah Leatherby, who has worked in the front line of the hospitality industry around Bristol. Sarah replaces Stephanie Wilson, who has moved on to a professional role in the Planning team with Colliers International supporting her studies.

Tim Davies, head of the Bristol office of Colliers International, said: “The arrival of Ed and Sarah serves to strengthen our highly successful hotels team, and increases the depth of our offering to clients in one of the busiest areas for hospitality in the UK.”