Property Jobs Today - this week’s news and moves in the industry

Hello and welcome to your regular Monday PJT, the essential guide to who’s moving where in our industry.

Everyone mentioned here got in touch with us on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we hope you’ll do the same if you have jobs news to pass on to the industry.

First this week, high-end London agency Chestertons has appointed the former compliance director at Foxtons, Lori Thompson, as its new Head of Operations.

Lori will be aiming to streamline and simplify the company’s processes to increase efficiency and productivity. She will be especially focused on the lettings and compliance processes – which have become increasingly complex under recent legislation – and has also been tasked with identifying, testing and implementing new PropTech solutions.

Lori says: “Consumer attitudes towards compliance have changed. The consumer has come to recognise that compliance is an important consideration when choosing an estate or letting agent. Compliance not only enhances the customer experience but is essential to protecting the consumer against the growing threat of property fraud. If an agent isn’t in control of their compliance processes, they put their clients at risk every day.”

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Now let’s swing by to Zoopla, which has appointed two heavyweight recruits on the communications side.

Tom Parker has become Head of Communications. Joining from online giant, Amazon, where he helped lead corporate communications across UK and Ireland, Tom will be responsible for leading Zoopla’s external media strategy for trade, corporate and consumer audiences.

Melissa Scarlett has been appointed PR Manager for the B2B and Corporate sides of the business where she will major in publicising Zoopla’s housing market research. She joins from PR agency Edelman where she was an associate director and predominantly specialised in corporate communications programmes for blue-chip clients in the real estate sector. 

Gary Bramall, chief marketing officer at Zoopla, comments: “Over the last year we’ve been hard at work building a business that comprises a range of impressive individuals with experience in disruptive sectors to reflect our ambitions of becoming the UK’s #1 property destination. With their respective backgrounds in technology and real estate, both Tom and Melissa are a central component to how we continue to communicate the benefits of our business and our successes as we achieve them.”

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Now let’s head down south to Bournemouth-based chartered surveyors and property management firm Rebbeck Brothers has recruited Joe Mellery-Pratt - a returnee to the fold. 

The 35-year-old rejoins as a director; he was previously with the firm for seven years before leaving to progress his career at a national firm.

Joe says: “The property industry is facing many challenges this year – regulation, demand for new builds, the future of leasehold, health and safety – and at Rebbeck Brothers we are determined to stay ahead of the field.”

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Online auction firm Landwood Property Auctions has just recruited Emma Judge as Senior Administrator.

With experience of more than 3,500 property auctions in her career, the 28 year old will play a key role in dealing with the growing number of instructions for online auctions, and she says: “I want to help potential bidders and clients make the process of an online auction as smooth as possible."

"This is the future of property transactions.”

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Another auction specialist - Loveitts in Coventry and Warwickshire - has announced three new hires.

Mark Walmsley (centre), who grew up in Leamington and lives in Coventry, is heading up residential sales as Associate Director and Area Sales Manager. A highly regarded professional he has a strong knowledge of the local market and nearly 20 years’ experience with local firms.

Simon O’Brien (right) joins as Senior Surveyor following a successful career in West London where he was an equity sirector of a general practice property group for 14 years. He has vast experience in commercial property, asset management, real estate development, working with landlords and dispute resolution. 

Laura Wilson (left) is spearheading Loveitts’ ambition to double its activity in the new build home market by next year. Appointed to the recently created post of Area New Homes Manager, Laura has 15 years’ experience of working locally both for housing developers and for estate agents, giving her a unique insight from inside the industry.

On to suppliers now, and well-known buy to let mortgage specialist Paragon has named Tony Williams (second from right) as a director to head the portfolio management function. Tony has enjoyed a diverse 30-year financial services career, primarily with Lloyds Bank and latterly Wells Fargo. 

He is joined by two new associates, Adrien Lot (far left) and Oliver Crabb (far right). Adrien joined from a specialised European credit fund, whilst Oliver brings a number of years’ experience with Deloitte.

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Meanwhile national mortgage specialist The Buy to Let Broker has celebrated a string of new appointments and promotions to its growing team at the head office in Southport.

There’s case manager Chris Leek (centre left) and mortgage specialist Adam Kipling, both new hires; alongside them are newly-promoted staff members Sarah Mason (centre right), who has been promoted to case manager team leader, while Fran Bradshaw (centre) has also been promoted to senior technical case manager.

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So that’s it for this week. We’re back next Monday as usual with the latest news - will your job move be one of our subjects? Let us know what you’re doing.

Until then…