Property group Eddisons has appointed Kate Deakin as a director in its valuation team based in the company’s Manchester office.

Deakin has more than two decades’ property industry experience and joins the firm from commercial real estate company Cushman and Wakefield.

Deakin will carry out valuations and provide strategic property advice for a range of healthcare providers including nursing and specialist care homes, children’s day nurseries, pharmacies, dentists and GP surgeries.

Eddisons’ managing partner Anthony Spencer said: “With an ageing population and continuous advances in medicine, the healthcare industry is one the fastest growing globally and we’re seeing a huge increase in demand for our services in this field.

“It’s an area in which we have an excellent track record in supporting healthcare clients with the unique challenges they face, including limited funding, changes in regulation and government policy and maintaining older properties that are in danger of deterioration.

“With many years of sector-specific experience, Kate will be a really valuable addition to the team across the UK, providing essential support to our lending, public, private and primary care.”

Also joining the Eddisons valuation team in Manchester are surveyor Malcolm Kilpatrick and graduate surveyor Jack Mayfield.

Eddisons employs around 500 people across a national network of more than 30 offices. A string of acquisitions by the firm includes that of SDL Property Auctions and Bristol-based Andrew Forbes Chartered Surveyors at the end of last year.