Persimmon appoints Iain McPherson as new UK managing director
Persimmon has announced that Iain McPherson will join the company as its new UK managing director in January.
McPherson is currently Sage Homes’ chief operating officer, having previously been CEO of Countryside and a managing director at Crest Nicholson amongst a variety of roles in the housing industry and wider sector over 30 years. His appointment follows Paul Hurst’s retirement at the end of the year after 28 years at Persimmon.
Dean Finch, group chief executive, said: “Iain has significant breadth and depth of experience, including as CEO of Countryside and will complement our existing senior management team. I look forward to working with him in the coming years to continue driving our growth plans and quality and customer service improvements.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Paul Hurst who retires following 28 years of extraordinary service to Persimmon. Paul retires with the warmest wishes of colleagues and many friends within the business and I am personally grateful for his great support to me during my time at Persimmon.”
McPherson commented: “In my current role I have worked directly with Persimmon and have seen the progress they have made in recent years first hand. I look forward to working with colleagues to maintain and build on this progress.”
New estate agency director appointed for South Yorkshire at Spicerhaart
Spicerhaart has appointed Christina Clarke as their estate agency director for South Yorkshire.
Following a successful career in recruitment, Clarke joined Spicerhaart’s Haybrook brand more than a decade ago and has held various roles in the business since then – including branch manager at the Crookes branch in Sheffield.
Her consistent high performance has now seen her promoted to oversee estate agency in the wider area – including nine branches and three additional branch partnerships.
Clarke, 37, has an impressive track record of managing and growing sales, and was awarded the company’s prestigious Elite status in 2023.
She said: “I am now responsible for supporting the individual branch managers and their teams, helping to drive the business forward and increase profit whilst maintaining the highest standards of customer service.
“I am keen to represent each branch’s interests and needs separately whilst also maintaining focus on the overall company goals.”
“I love to develop and motivate those around me and see them win along the way. This will be a huge part of this new role,” she added.
Spicerhaart managing director Daniel Ansell commented: “We are always keen to reward the hard work and success of our top performers by considering them for promotion when roles arise. Christina has been Elite for some time now within our business,” he said.
“I’m sure Christina will have no issues stepping up and continue her impressive career progression. She will have the backing of her husband and daughter who she uses as her inspiration to push herself on to being the best she can be.
“I look forward to working closely with her and seeing the results she can bring in South Yorkshire.”
Chestertons expands Prime Sales team in SW London
Chestertons has appointed a new director of prime sales, Courtney Rawlings, for its branches in south-west London, working alongside the head of SW prime sales Xavier Marques-Wicks.
Rawlings is a former senior director at James Pendleton Estate Agents, which was acquired by the long-established London estate agency earlier this summer.
His new responsibilities include the Clapham, Battersea and Wandsworth areas, with specialist focus on properties above £2m.
Rawlings started his career in estate agency over 15 years ago as a trainee negotiator and, prior to the acquisition, ran two James Pendleton offices – Clapham Common and Battersea Park.
He commented: “I’m thrilled to be joining the SW Prime Sales team within a prestigious and well-respected company such as Chestertons. In an ever-changing property landscape, it has never been more important to provide clients with exceptional one-to-one service and this is something I’m hugely passionate about.”
Matt Thompson, head of sales at Chestertons, added: “He [Rawlings] is a top agent and his appointment will further improve our Prime offering in South West London.”