Charlie Ardern joins the valuation team at Cluttons

Cluttons has recruited Charlie Ardern as a partner in the valuation team to help build the firm’s northern presence from a Manchester base.

Establishing a footprint across the UK is a key element of Cluttons’ growth strategy and will enable it to offer clients services at every stage of the property lifecycle.

Ardern has spent his property career of more than 20 years in the North West, most of this time with Knight Frank, and has well-established connections in the region.

He will be working closely with head of valuations, Jonathan Rhodes, and the wider team to further strengthen the trusted and long-established valuation advisory services.

Ipswich Building Society makes three senior appointments

Ipswich Building Society has appointed Paul Johnson as its new finance director, Sian Hill as non-executive director, and Lee Gladwell as chief commercial officer.

Johnson, formerly head of UK and divisional finance at Vanquis Bank, will be responsible for managing the accounting and financial control functions, as well as working with both the executive team and board to maintain key relationships with industry regulators and auditors.

Hill, who has been welcomed to the society’s board as a non-executive director following the retirement of Peter Elcock, has spent much of her career as a tax partner at KPMG and is now a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Having provided consultancy services to the society’s mortgage sales function during the previous year, Gladwell’s new role as chief commercial operator comes at a key time for Ipswich Building Society as it enhances its intermediary distribution through networks and clubs.

Richard Norrington, CEO of Ipswich Building Society, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Paul and Sian to Ipswich Building Society, as well as to congratulate Lee for taking on the position of chief commercial officer.

“Strengthening our senior management team and board is more important than ever during the current economic climate, and I’m confident our new appointments bring a diverse range of skills and experience to ensure the efficient running of the society, while maintaining the interests of our customers and members.

Dales & Peaks opens new office in Chesterfield

Dales & Peaks Estate Agents, an independent, family-owned business based in Chesterfield, has opened a new office on Chatsworth Road, S40.

The shop has been selected and designed to showcase the type of homes the company sell in the local area, with a view to allowing clients to enjoy what sales director Tom Currey described as “a more relaxed environment than the hustle and bustle of estate agent row”.

Currey commented: “To ‘stand out from the crowd’ has not only been our motto since relaunching our offering in 2017, it has been what we have preached and how we’re achieving better results for our clients than our local competitors.”

He added: “Our shop windows are fitted with high-bright screens, in which we can showcase our properties’ 3D tours, images and whatever information we decide to have rolling on them.

“The footfall of this busy promenade attracts buyers and the screens will catch their eye, while the selection of independent businesses surrounding our new shop creates the perfect placement for a more enjoyable process.”