The Letting Partnership expands with three new hires

Specialist provider of services to the letting industry, The Letting Partnership, has added to its client accounting team to meet demand for outsourced client accounting and Client Money Protection services.

Megan Keenan and Alex Paine have joined as client accounts administrators, while Laura Ward has been appointed PA to support the senior management team.

The Letting Partnership has also announced that it is looking to add a further 50 agents in the next few months.

Chris Mason, operations manager at The Letting Partnership, said: “Alex and Megan will help increase the capacity of our client accounts team, maintaining the excellent levels of service our agents have come to expect. Alex in particular brings extensive experience in client accounting to the business.

“Our new PA Laura will support our senior management team and ensure that our onboarding process for new agents continues to be seamless and without interruption.

“We’re so happy to welcome our latest team members who will be able to help us meet the ongoing surge in demand for our outsourced client accounting and Client Money Protection services, as letting agents redeploy staff to focus on other areas such as business growth.

“We knew that during the current economic climate, agents would be keen to save money through outsourcing and would want to turn to specialists like The Letting Partnership to give them the confidence that their clients’ money is safe and that their business remains compliant with regulations.

“Last year our business enjoyed 40 per cent growth and we are forecasting 50 per cent growth this year.”

Places for People announces retirement of CEO

Places for People has announced that after 24 years as CEO, David Cowans has decided to retire.

As CEO, Cowans, who will for now continue to lead the group and support a planned transition process, has been responsible for the expansion and growth of Places for People which now manages around 200,000 homes across the country and is one of the largest developers of affordable housing through its Placemaking approach.

The group continues its focus to create affordable homes and sustainable communities, and Cowans will continue to lead the implementation of the business plan and support the succession planning over the next 12 months.

Cowans commented: “It has been, and remains, a privilege to have worked with many committed and hardworking people to develop the vision and the culture of the Group as it is today. I am proud to be part of Places for People.”

Richard Gregory, chairman of Places for People, added: “The group will owe David a huge debt when he retires, as he will leave behind a legacy creating one of the country’s leading affordable-led placemakers. The strength in depth of the senior leadership team which David has assembled and handing over a business that is in very good shape, are his final legacy and a great way for a CEO to bow out.

“During the next 12 months, I am looking forward to working with David on business as usual, embedding our new three-year business plan, the succession planning process and delivering a smooth transition until he retires.”

Lawrence Stephens promotes Nisha Saigal to director 

London-based law firm Lawrence Stephens has promoted senior associate Nisha Saigal to director in its Real Estate Finance Department.

Since joining Lawrence Stephens as an associate in 2015, Saigal’s dedication and expertise has enabled her to rise through the ranks to Senior Associate and now Director.

Saigal has more than 12 years’ experience specialising in commercial property and is known for her commitment to establishing strong relationships and delivering excellent service to clients.

She works across a variety of matters including acquisitions, landlord and tenant matters, residential and commercial investments. Saigal’s has a particular focus on real estate finance acting for a number of lenders including commercial lenders, bridging lenders and digital mortgage lenders.

Saigal commented: “I am thrilled to have been made Director at Lawrence Stephens; since joining the firm in 2015, not only have I been continually inspired and challenged to exceed targets and expectations, I have also truly felt like one of the family. I am very much looking forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success and expansion in my new role.”