Spicerhaart appoints new estate agency director for Darlows
Spicerhaart has announced the appointment of Elinor Walters-Davies as estate agency director for its Darlows and haart brands in Wales.
Walters-Davies, who has been with the company for 16 years, will now lead the Darlows and haart network across Wales, overseeing offices in Cardiff, Newport, and Pontypool.
She began her career at Darlows as a negotiator and steadily progressed through the ranks to become an area partner.
She said: “Sixteen years of hard work has led me to this point, and I couldn’t be prouder. My focus now is driving market share through better instruction levels and profitability. I’m passionate about developing our managers and helping them nurture their own teams to success.”
Keiron Humphreys, Chapter MD at Spicerhaart, commented: “Elinor’s appointment is richly deserved. Her leadership, deep local knowledge and commitment to customer care make her an exceptional ambassador for Darlows. She embodies the values that make our business stand out – energy, integrity and people-first leadership.”
Cala appoints Tom Nicholson as chief executive officer
Cala Group has announced the appointment of Tom Nicholson, a long-time industry executive in the housebuilding sector, as chief executive officer.
Nicholson succeeds Kevin Whitaker, who has served as CEO since 2018. Tom will continue to serve on the board in addition to his role as CEO.
Nicholson has over three decades of leadership in the housebuilding sector, having served in a range of senior positions at Crest Nicholson, divisional chairman at Linden Homes, Galliford Try, Berkeley Homes, and Trafalgar House. He most recently acted as non-executive director to the Cala board and brings over 35 years of experience delivering successful multi-tenure housing strategies.
Nicholson said: “Over the past year on the board, I have witnessed first-hand the exceptional talent within our team, the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence, and its passion for delivering five-star service.
“Following more than a decade of strong growth, I look forward to working alongside the Cala team to execute our strategic vision and advance Cala’s standing as one of the UK’s leading housebuilders. My priorities will be to apply my experience to deliver sustainable growth, further enhance operational excellence, while maintaining our industry-leading approach to quality and service.
“While market conditions are likely to remain challenging into 2026, I am confident that, with the strong support of our shareholders, Cala will continue to further strengthen its leadership position in the UK housebuilding industry.”
Ian Sutcliffe, non-executive chairman of Cala, commented: “Tom brings exceptional industry leadership and a deep track record of operational excellence. He is well-placed to build on Cala’s momentum and lead the Company into its next phase. I would like to thank Kevin for his dedication to Cala and his leadership of the business for the past eight years. We wish him every success for the future.”
LMS welcomes new CFO
LMS has welcomed Alexi Walsh as its new chief financial officer. She will support the company’s mission in making the home-buying-and-selling journey safer, faster, and easier.
Walsh’s previous experience includes working with PE-backed and high-growth businesses, helping scale operations, raising capital, and building teams that balance precision and pace.
She has helped launch and scale digital identity and SaaS platforms globally, expanding into over 40 markets and shaping the commercial models that support long-term growth.
Specifically, in 2016, Alexi was the general manager of the GOV.UK Verify programme, the government’s first efforts to tokenise digital identity, driving the creation of a digital identity passport.
She recently completed her Global Executive MBA with Distinction at Alliance Manchester Business School, specialising in Advanced Strategy and the Digital Economy, a programme that reinforced her passion for the role of data and technology.
At LMS, Walsh will primarily focus on National Property Transaction Network (NPTN).
Walsh said: “My focus has always been on using finance to drive clarity of insight, enable decision-making, and support innovation, and now I look forward to building on my experience to help grow NPTN and future-proof property transactions within a mature industry that is long overdue for transformation.”
Nick Chadbourne, CEO at LMS, commented: “These last 18 months have been a significant period of expansion for us at LMS, particularly as NPTN continues to grow and make a positive impact within the sector.
“With over 20 years of experience, Alexi will be a valuable member of our team at a critical time, supporting the company’s next phase of strategic and operational growth.
“We look forward to seeing how Alexi helps shape our
decision-making and supports us on our mission to make conveyancing easier and safer for all.’