Simon Bradbury joins eXp UK 

Simon Bradbury, previously managing director at Thomas Morris, has announced that he will be joining eXp UK as an agent based in St.Neots Cambridgeshire.

The decision follows his consultancy work with the rapidly growing brand, which included spending time with eXp agents to observe how they operate on the frontline.

“I have been tremendously impressed with everything I’ve seen at eXp” said Bradbury “Their systems, support, I.T. and culture really is formidable and their proposition is so compelling I decided to join them as an agent and operate in the St.Neots area to do the job I love – estate agency.”

He added: “I am not looking to be the biggest estate agent in the area but, to quote the late Tina Turner to be ‘Simply The Best ’. I firmly believe that eXp will provide me with the tools to achieve this and can’t wait to get started at some time in April.”

Bradbury will continue with his consultancy work, specialising in increasing instructions at an individual branch level, as well as working for Agents Giving the high-profile estate agency charity where he was recently appointed as a board member.

eXp UK leader, Adam Day, commented: “I’ve known Simon for a good ten years now and have always admired his positive attitude towards the industry. He’s always been willing to share advice and tips and has always been interested in what different models are out there and what he can learn from others.

“To have someone like Simon Bradbury join the ranks of eXp is testament to how far we’ve come in a very short space of time in the UK, and reinforces the fact that eXp is ‘the’ premier ‘self employed’ estate agency model in the UK. We’re delighted to be working with such an influential industry figure”

The Hill Group appoints Chris Santer as new head of land 

The Hill Group has appointed Chris Santer as the firm’s head of land.

In his new role, Santer is responsible for residential land acquisitions across the East of England, prioritising short- to medium-term projects that can achieve planning approval and commence construction within a three-year window.

Santer’s geographical area will include Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and targeted developments will align with the company’s sustainability objectives, which include a 20% biodiversity net gain target across all developments.

Santer, who will be based between Hill’s Cambridge office and the company’s head office in Waltham Abbey, Essex, started his career with Leach Homes, where he completed a degree in quantity surveying at the University of Westminster before being promoted to land and planning manager during his 15-year spell with the company. He then joined Matthew Homes as senior land manager, covering the northern home counties for four years, before moving to Hayfield Homes as area land director for a further four years.

Andy Hill, group chief executive of The Hill Group, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to our team and look forward to his contribution in driving our land acquisition strategy forward. This is an important strategic appointment to ensure continued growth in the East and I am confident the team will benefit from Chris’ impressive track record, experience, and contacts.”

PEXA UK appoints new independent board members

PEXA UK has announced the appointment of two new, seasoned UK independent non-executive directors to join its UK board.

Nicky Heathcote, chair of the Conveyancing Association and former chief of staff at the HM Land Registry; and Tim Everest, a banking executive, who led the transformation at Pay.UK, will support PEXA through its next phase of growth.

Heathcote brings 30 years of experience in the property industry. She is currently chair of the Conveyancing Association and chair of the PCCB Compliance Committee. Her governance work follows a significant career in senior public sector roles including chief of staff at HM Land Registry (HMLR) and at the Gambling Commission.

Everest is a 30-year transformational executive and NED specialising in scaling businesses in complex and highly regulated environments. He has led major digital payment transformation programs as a leader at Pay.UK, CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System), Bank of England, Lloyds Banking Group, Deutsche Bank and Cheque & Credit Co.

PEXA UK chair John Hooper and PEXA UK CEO Joe Pepper both welcomed the appointments and said: “We are delighted that these two highly skilled directors will join our UK Board as PEXA continues its mission to streamline the property and financial conveyancing market in the UK.”

PEXA group MD and CEO, Glenn King, added: “We are thrilled to have Nicky and Tim join the PEXA UK Board and look forward to their collective insights and deep expertise as they support our momentum and growth in the UK.”

Heathcote and Everest will join the PEXA UK board in April.

Comings & Goings