Dan Martin returns to Savills Notting Hill
Savills has announced that Dan Martin has rejoined its prime central London residential sales operation as a director in Notting Hill, coming from UK Sotheby’s International Realty where he was a director of sales.
Martin, who spent nearly five years at Savills before leaving in 2023, has worked in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea for over 15 years. His granular knowledge of the local property market has seen him handle the sale of properties in some of the area’s most prominent residential addresses and garden squares.
His return to Savills will see Martin sit among some of the industry’s longest standing residential agency specialists who together form part of Savills extensive network in the capital.
In his new role at Savills, Martin will focus on £5m-plus properties throughout Notting Hill, Holland Park and Bayswater, providing tailored and comprehensive advice to clients, drawing in expertise from the collegiate, cross-divisional business.
Reporting to co-head of prime central London, Pete Bevan, Martin will work closely with members of the market leading Kensington and Sloane Street sales departments as well as colleagues within Savills Private Office to drive the firm’s prime and super prime offering in London’s highest value markets.
Martin said: “I look forward to re-connecting with colleagues across the business and utilising my experience to contribute to the future successes of the wider team.”
Bevan aded: “With his significant local expertise and impressive sales credentials, Dan will be an asset to our business as we continue to build our market leadership throughout London’s golden postcodes. Our residential teams include many of London’s best known and most successful agents and Dan’s appointment reflects our ambition to provide clients with an unrivalled service, delivered by local experts.”
Oliver Cooper joins the Lurot Brand team as lettings manager
Lurat Brand, which has offices in South Kensington and Hyde Park in central London, has appointed Oliver Cooper as its new letting manager.
Cooper has more than 15 years of experience working as a letting agent and has developed a wealth of knowledge spanning all property types.
Having worked with high-profile clients, including sports personalities, Lurot Brand says he is known for his expertise, discretion, and passion for London’s diverse property scene.
“I’m thrilled to join the team at Lurot Brand,” said Cooper. “I have already seen some wonderful mews houses and am impressed by the individuality of each property [in the local area].”
Miller Homes appoints Richard Akers as chair of the board
Miller Homes has appointed former Redrow PLC Chair, Richard Akers, as its new chair.
Akers brings a wealth of leadership experience and sector insight to the role, having spent his career in the property and land acquisition industry, including twenty years with Land Securities, and another nearly ten years in non-executive director roles with Barratt Developments PLC.
Akers is currently a senior independent director at Shaftesbury Capital PLC and was the chair of Redrow PLC until its merger with Barratt Developments PLC completed in October 2024. He has also served as a non-executive director for Unite Group PLC and EMAAR Malls in Dubai, and on the advisory board for the Battersea Power Station development.
Akers takes over from Chris Endsor, who retires after a 45-year career, over half of which was with Miller Homes, which included time as CEO and later as chairman.
Akers said: “The company is poised to grow and deliver more of the high-quality, sustainable homes that are needed across the UK, and I’m excited to work with my fellow trustees and the leadership team to deliver on our ambitious growth strategy.”
Stewart Lynes, CEO of Miller Homes, commented: “The depth and breadth of his [Askers] experience will be a critical asset to us as we continue to progress with our medium-term growth ambition of reaching 6,000 homes a year.
“I would also like to thank Chris for his leadership and commitment during his tenure. His storied career has left a permanent mark on Miller Homes. I wish him all the happiness in his well-deserved retirement.”
Rajesh Jegadeesh, board member of Miller Homes and MD at Apollo, said: “Richard has an exceptional track-record in UK housing; to attract a chair of his calibre reflects the growth opportunity we see in Miller Homes. We are excited to draw upon his extensive expertise as Miller enters a new phase of growth and delivers on its ambition to provide more high-quality housing across the UK.
“We thank Chris for his decades of support in building Miller Homes into the leading business it is today and wish him well in retirement.”