What Firethorn Trust does

Firethorn Trust is a UK-focused real estate investor and developer founded in 2018 and headquartered in London. It operates two core divisions: a Logistics portfolio of 23 assets spanning big-box distribution, mid-box warehousing, and last-mile urban logistics (including Link Logistics Park, Sherburn 42, Barnsley 340, Blueprint Erith, Peterborough South, and the upcoming Bardon development), and a Living portfolio of seven sites covering purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), residential, build-to-rent, hospitality (including a 35-year Malmaison York lease), and hybrid hotels (Sackville Place Dublin, 5 Lloyd's Avenue). Projects are delivered to BREEAM 'Excellent' or 'Very Good' and EPC 'A' standards with net-zero carbon construction, and include the first UK deployment of PrimX jointless concrete floors.

The company operates a vertically integrated full-service model spanning investment strategy, acquisitions and disposals, development management, asset management, and outsourced real estate services for clients and capital partners. Revenue is generated through one-time development gains on property sales (e.g., the 2022 sale of a 3.25 million sq ft industrial portfolio to Cain International), recurring asset and leasing management fees on retained and third-party portfolios, and rental income from held assets. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting institutional occupiers and capital partners, with marquee tenants including B&M Retail, Morrisons, Taylor Wimpey, Next plc, Sika UK, MH Star UK, and Malmaison.

In 2024 Firethorn formalised its third-party capital platform, Firethorn Investments, led by Charlie Ingham, and in 2025 launched a new brand identity. A 27-person specialist team supports ongoing logistics expansion (Bardon £125m+, Aylesbury £50m), PBSA delivery (Poland House Stratford with Gateway 2 approval, Hackney Wick), and hospitality expansion in Dublin and the City of London, alongside retained asset management of the Cain International portfolio.

Name

Firethorn Trust

Legal name

Firethorn Trust

Website

https://firethorntrust.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Firethorn Trust is a London-based UK real estate investor and developer founded in 2018, operating vertically integrated Logistics and Living platforms across 23 logistics assets and seven living sites. It delivers BREEAM Excellent, net-zero carbon developments, manages a £3bn+ advised investment book, and serves institutional occupiers and capital partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Real Estate Development and Investment

SIC

Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Estate Planning, Trust Structuring & Governance (FSAAADAF)

Keywords

• Logistics real estate development
• Commercial property investment
• Asset management services
• Purpose-built student accommodation
• Industrial warehousing development

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Real Estate Development: Firethorn develops logistics and living (PBSA, residential, hospitality) properties across the UK. Development activities span build-to-suit and speculative developments, with projects delivered on their own balance sheet and for clients. Revenue is generated through property sales and development fees.
2. Asset Management: Firethorn provides asset management services for owned properties and third-party clients (e.g., Cain International). They manage leasing, income optimization, and value creation across logistics portfolios. Retained as asset and leasing manager across sold 3.25m sq ft portfolio.
3. Investment Management: Firethorn Investments platform deploys specialist expertise and full-service capabilities to maximize performance of real estate assets for clients, identifying strategic opportunities for the balance sheet.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Firethorn Trust is a vertically integrated UK real estate investor, developer and asset manager that deploys its own and client capital to acquire, develop and operate Grade A logistics warehouses and living assets (PBSA, residential, hybrid hotel/hospitality). Across a 23-asset logistics portfolio and a 7-site living portfolio, it provides investment strategy, acquisitions and disposals, build-to-suit and speculative development management, retained asset and leasing management, and outsourced real estate services for institutional investors and corporate occupiers.

Product overview

Firethorn Trust operates as a real estate investor, developer, and asset manager offering integrated services across the entire property lifecycle. The company operates two core divisions: Logistics Portfolio (23 assets spanning big-box distribution, mid-box warehousing, and last-mile urban logistics across the UK including Link Logistics Park, Sherburn 42, Barnsley 340, Blueprint Erith, Northampton Cross, Peterborough South, and Bardon development) and Living Portfolio (seven sites encompassing PBSA developments like Poland House Stratford and Hackney Wick, residential projects such as One Bessborough Gardens London, hospitality assets including Malmaison York, and hostel accommodations like Sackville Place Dublin). Supporting these divisions, Firethorn provides Investment Strategy, Acquisitions & Disposals, Development Management, Asset Management, and Outsourced Real Estate Services. In 2024, the company launched its Firethorn Investments platform to deploy full-service capabilities for external clients. Major occupiers include B&M Retail, Sika UK, Taylor Wimpey, Morrisons, and Next plc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Logistics Portfolio Industrial and logistics real estate development and asset management platform spanning 23 logistics assets across the UK, including large-scale distribution centres, mid-box warehouses, and last-mile urban logistics hubs. Key sites include Link Logistics Park (Ellesmere Port), Sherburn 42 (North Yorkshire), Barnsley 340, Blueprint Erith and Bardon development.
• Living Portfolio Residential sector platform comprising purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), build-to-rent residential, hospitality/hybrid hotel assets, and co-living developments. Currently comprises seven sites including The Malt Works Edinburgh (PBSA), One Bessborough Gardens London (residential), Malmaison York (hospitality), and Sackville Place Dublin (hostel).
• Link Logistics Park 42-acre logistics park in Ellesmere Port featuring two facilities spanning 674,265 and 114,692 sq ft. Net-zero carbon construction with BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, solar panels, rainwater harvesting and up to 25% potential energy cost savings. Located within Liverpool City Freeport Zone.
• Sherburn 42 660,000 sq ft prime industrial development in North Yorkshire comprising four Grade A units. Net-zero carbon in construction, BREEAM 'Excellent', EPC 'A' and WELL Ready certified. Features 50m yard depth, 12.5m minimum eaves heights, 633 parking spaces and up to 4MVA power.
• Barnsley 340 344,910 sq ft Grade A logistics unit in South Yorkshire with BREEAM 'Excellent' and EPC 'A' ratings. Net-zero carbon construction featuring 15% rooflight coverage, 32 EV charging points, 50KN/m2 floor loading, and 80:20 dock loading to level access split.
• Blueprint Erith Four-unit last-mile urban logistics hub in south east London offering 93,984 sq ft of Grade A industrial space. BREEAM 'Very Good' rated, net-zero carbon construction, located within the M25 with EV charging points and a photovoltaic-ready roof structure.
• Northampton Cross, Milton Ham Two-unit development across 37 acres delivering 354,000 sq ft of logistics space. Fully leased to MH Star UK under a 15-year tenancy from October 2021. BREEAM 'Very Good' and EPC 'A' rated, located off Junction 15A of the M1 in the Golden Triangle logistics corridor.
• Peterborough South Three-unit prime logistics development in Peterborough with BREEAM 'Excellent' specification. Net-zero carbon construction featuring over 40,000 sq ft of photovoltaic arrays, 48 EV charging points and 15% roof lights. First UK development to feature PrimX jointless concrete floors. Units let to Taylor Wimpey and FreshLinc.
• Bardon Logistics Development 80.2-acre logistics site in Bardon, Leicestershire within the East Midlands Golden Triangle. Detailed planning consent for two units totalling 947,650 sq ft with B2 and B8 use. £125m+ investment planned with speculative and build-to-suit delivery, targeting BREEAM 'Excellent' rating and practical completion late 2027.
• Poland House, Stratford 284-bed PBSA development in Stratford, East London with 35% affordable accommodation and £100m GDV. Located on Stratford High Street with access to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, UCL East and University Arts London. Features study spaces, common rooms, gym and community space.
• Hackney Wick, Stratford 204-bed PBSA development in Hackney Wick on former Broadwood piano factory grounds. 35% affordable accommodation (51% nominated to London university partner per London Plan), 1,400 sq m of affordable and incubator workspace for community groups, and preservation of the historic 1902 brick chimney.
• Sackville Place, Dublin 588-bed purpose-built hostel accommodation (PBHA) in Dublin city centre off O'Connell Street. 120 rooms across six storeys with dormitory and private double rooms. Ground floor and basement offer bar, café and lounge open to public. Partnership with SW3 Capital.
• Malmaison York 29,000 sq ft boutique hotel in York occupied by Malmaison under a 35-year lease with £2.1m per annum rental income. 150 boutique rooms with rooftop skybar, Malmaison 'Work + Play' facilities, spa and gym.
• One Bessborough Gardens, London 70,000 sq ft landmark building in SW1 London (formerly rumored MI5 training facility) acquired off-market. Building stripped back to concrete frame with prior approval for 52 residential apartments. GDV estimated at £80-100m. Multiple use options including luxury residential, hotel, hostel, co-living, embassy, museum or gallery.
• 5 Lloyd's Avenue, City of London Office-to-hotel conversion project in the City of London acquired for undisclosed sum. Planning application due spring 2026. Partnership with SW3 Capital for operations, positioned as an affordable hybrid hotel near Fenchurch Street with excellent transport links.
• Firethorn Investments Platform Investment platform established in 2024 and led by Charlie Ingham, deploying specialist expertise and full-service capabilities to maximise the performance of real estate assets and developments for external clients while identifying strategic opportunities for Firethorn's own balance sheet.
• Asset Management Service Tailored asset management services driving superior asset performance for clients and capital partners. Maximises investment returns while contributing to the economic vitality of surrounding communities. Retained as asset and leasing manager across sold portfolios, e.g., Cain International's 3.25m sq ft portfolio.
• Development Management Service Development delivery from concept to completion with expert third-party development management services. Build-to-suit and speculative developments tailored to unique client needs, delivered by in-house teams managing planning, construction and handover.

Quantifiable outcome

• Net-zero carbon construction reducing environmental impact
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• McAleer & RusheminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Appointed as developer for Firethorn's Stratford PBSA project (284-bed development). Partnership delivers construction while Firethorn provides development oversight and asset management.
• SW3 CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Firethorn partners with SW3 Capital as operational managers for hybrid hotel developments. Partnership includes Folk Dublin (138-bedroom hostel) and 5 Lloyd's Avenue City of London conversion. SW3 provides operational expertise while Firethorn handles acquisition and development.
• Variety GolfminorOthers · 1 January 2025Firethorn sponsored the Kipp Popert World Invitational at The London Golf Club, raising £100,000 for Sunshine Coaches initiative providing minibuses to schools for children with special needs.
• School of Hard KnockscoreOthers · 1 January 2024Three-year partnership with education inclusion charity supporting young people aged 11-16 in complex circumstances. Focused on communities neighbouring Firethorn's London developments (One Bessborough Gardens, Stratford, Hackney Wick). Each SOHK Schools Programme costs £42,000 per academic year.
• Groundwork UKcoreOthers · 1 January 2022Charitable partnership established in 2022 with grant of over £310,000 to support community initiatives in six locations linked to Firethorn developments (Peterborough, Leighton Buzzard, Ellesmere Port, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Barnsley, Northampton). Includes environmental projects, food security initiatives, and Green Team trainee sponsorship in London.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SEGRO: SEGRO is the largest UK-listed REIT specialising in big-box and mid-box logistics warehousing. Directly comparable to Firethorn's core logistics development and asset management franchise across the UK and Continental Europe, with overlapping tenant base and ESG-led spec build strategy.
• Tritax Big Box REIT: UK-listed REIT focused exclusively on large-scale logistics warehousing with active development pipeline. Directly comparable to Firethorn's Golden Triangle logistics strategy and serves similar institutional occupiers on long-term leases.
• LondonMetric Property: UK REIT combining logistics, retail, and residential assets with an active development and asset management platform. Comparable to Firethorn's vertically integrated model and dual logistics/living exposure.
• CTP: Pan-European logistics developer-developer with a vertically integrated build-and-hold model across the UK, Germany, CEE, and Netherlands. Highly comparable to Firethorn on speculative mid-box development and sustainability-led design.
• Panattoni: Europe's largest logistics developer, active in the UK with speculative and build-to-suit development. Panattoni directly acquired Firethorn's Hardwick Grange site, evidencing direct competition for prime UK logistics land.
• Chancerygate: UK specialist multi-let and mid-box industrial developer and asset manager. Directly comparable to Firethorn on mid-box logistics development, asset management, and ESG-led spec design for institutional and corporate occupiers.

Broad incumbents

• Goodman Group: Global integrated logistics property group with significant UK and European operations. Overlaps with Firethorn on development, asset management, and investment management but at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
• GLP: Global logistics real estate developer, owner, and operator with a UK/European presence. Comparable to Firethorn on institutional-grade logistics development and capital partner relationships, though at vastly larger scale.
• Prologis: World's largest industrial REIT with a dominant UK logistics platform. Overlaps with Firethorn on speculative development, sustainability-led design, and capital partner relationships; competes for institutional occupier demand.

Regional players

• Ghelamco: Belgian-headquartered real estate developer with UK operations focused on logistics, residential, and mixed-use schemes. Comparable to Firethorn on developer-led, sustainability-spec'd projects in the UK and Continental Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/firethorn-trust
• Xx.com/firethorntrust

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Firethorn Trust