Yopa names Freddie Cornes as new MD

Freddie Cornes has been named as the new managing director of YOPA.

Cornes, who had been Yopa’s CFO since August 2018, trained as a chartered accountant at Deloitte before working as a financial analyst at Sky.

At DMGT he was head of commercial finance, responsible for the financial performance of all advertising sales and consumer departments within the media arm of Yopa’s longstanding investor.

Cornes said: “We’ve made huge strides over the past year in particular thanks to the hard work of Yopa’s business owners and staff. We’ve grown our market share to reach the top five estate agency brands in the UK, helped our agents to grow their businesses and earnings, and seen significant progress in financial performance. As a result, we have been cash generating since April 2020.

“This is an outstanding achievement given the challenges our industry faced at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but proves the resilience of our model and our determination to succeed. I look forward to working with our business owners and staff to further Yopa’s growth into 2021 and beyond.”

Blue Alpine appoints Richard Morgan as an associate partner chartered surveyor

Blue Alpine Partners Ltd (Blue Alpine) has appointed Richard Morgan as an associate partner chartered surveyor.

With an established career of over 40 years in the industry, Morgan is an experienced chartered surveyor and RICS registered valuer with an extensive track-record in sales, lettings and valuations.

Morgan joins Blue Alpine at a time of continued growth; his wealth of experience will play an important role in executing the business strategy and delivering on the company’s nationwide growth plans.

He spent a few years overseas running his own estate agency businesses, most recently a RE/MAX franchise in Auckland, New Zealand.  He returned to Britain in 2013 and joined a firm of chartered surveyors back in Northwood, dealing mainly with property sales, lettings and valuations.

Prash Jaitley, managing director Blue Alpine, commented: “The appointment of Richard given his extensive experience and insight is instrumental as we continue to strengthen our capabilities and further enhance the proposition to our clients.

“We welcome Richard on-board at a time when the new long-term business plan is being implemented as part of our continued expansion across the UK.”

Time Retail Partners appoints new director

Time Retail Partners (TRP), the retail property consultancy, has appointed Tony Carroll, a former senior director at CBRE, as a director.

Carroll will join the company in January 2021, working with TRP’s existing landlord client base and as part of TRP’s leadership team to grow the consultancy.

He spent ten years in CBRE’s retail team, working on leading assets including centre:mk, Manchester Arndale, Meadowhall, intu Merry Hill and Buchanan Galleries, as well as the development leasing for Westfield Bradford and Westgate Oxford.

Carroll was also part of the CBRE team appointed by Grosvenor Europe on Liverpool ONE.  In addition, he has provided development consultancy advice to landlords such as Westfield, Hammerson, British Land and M&G.

Carroll said: “After ten very enjoyable years at CBRE, I am delighted to join Time Retail Partners, having watched them grow into a market-leading boutique firm.

“I know the team very well and this is a hugely exciting next step for me. I cannot wait to start, and it will be a lot of fun working with the team and our clients in an ever-changing sector.”