Romans promotes new sales director after 25 years with agency
Romans has promoted long-serving employee Jonathan Hawthorne to sales director, 25 years after he joined the estate agency as a trainee.
Hawthorne started with Romans in 2001 as a trainee sales advisor and has since held a series of senior roles within the business.
He became manager of the agency’s flagship Bracknell office in 2014 before progressing to area sales manager, area sales director and, most recently, regional sales director.
In his new role, Hawthorne will lead the sales operation across Romans, which is part of LRG and currently operates 27 offices, predominantly across the Thames Valley.
Kevin Shaw, national sales managing director at LRG, said: “What has stood out throughout his journey is his ability to lead, develop, and innovate, while never losing sight of what matters most; our people, our customers, and the quality of service we provide.
“After more than 25 years with Romans, there can be few people who know our business as well as Jonathan. His experience, passion, work ethic and genuine belief in the brand make him a fantastic choice to lead our sales operation.”
Hawthorne said: “Romans has been a huge part of my career, and I’m proud to take on this role.
“We have talented teams across our growing number of offices, and I’m looking forward to working with them all to take the business to even greater heights.”
Former Savills Mayfair head joins UK Forbes Global Properties
Former Savills Mayfair head Charles Lloyd has joined UK Forbes Global Properties as a founder partner.
Lloyd, who has almost 40 years of experience in the prime residential market, will work with buyers and sellers across Prime Central London and the Home Counties.
His appointment follows roles at Beauchamp Estates, Savills and CBRE. He established his own business, Charles Lloyd Real Estate, in 2025.
Lloyd spent 14 years at Savills, where he established and led its Mayfair and St James’s operation. He also helped launch the firm’s Marylebone office.
He later joined CBRE as senior director and co-founded its Private Office, advising clients across London and the Home Counties.
Martin Bikhit, founder and CEO of UK Forbes Global Properties, said: “Charles has an exceptional pedigree. He has led significant businesses, handled some remarkable transactions and built trusted relationships over decades.
“I’ve known him for well over 20 years, and what has always stood out is his knowledge of the market and the care he takes with his clients.”
Charlie Willis, founder partner and managing director, added: “Charles brings exactly the depth of experience we want in our founding team.
“His track record across Mayfair and the wider prime market speaks for itself, and it’s that personal credibility and judgement that make him such a strong fit for our clients.”
Lloyd said: “Having spent much of my career advising clients at the top end of the London market, I know how much they value experience, discretion and direct access to the person representing them.
“Martin and Charlie are building a business around those principles, with the added reach of Forbes Global Properties. I’m excited to join as a Founder Partner and help shape its development.”
UK Forbes Global Properties holds exclusive UK membership of the Forbes Global Properties network.
The ESTAS appoints Amy Bibiris as executive director
The ESTAS has appointed Amy Bibiris as executive director ahead of its 23rd annual awards in London next Friday, 16 October.
Bibiris joins from Smart Compliance, where she served as commercial director. She brings more than 20 years of property industry experience spanning estate agency and proptech.
She started her property career at Romans in 2004 and went on to become the company’s first female branch manager.
Bibiris later spent four years running a community-based office for Davis Tate. She moved into property technology in 2019 and has since worked with estate agency businesses on technology and operational change.
Alongside her commercial roles, Bibiris has worked with industry organisations including Agents Together. She initially joined as a mentee before becoming a mentor.
She has also served on the board of Women in Estate Agency and remains one of the organisation’s regional champions.
Simon Brown, founder of ESTAS, said: “Amy understands this industry from every side, because she’s worked in nearly all of it. She knows what great service takes, and she knows what it means to the people delivering it.
“She’s also been supporting ESTAS from the sidelines for years, so in many ways it feels like she’s already one of us. We can’t wait to see where Amy takes us next, and what a week to start.”
Bibiris said: “I’ve loved this industry from my very first day in a branch, and I’ve never stopped believing in the people who make it what it is.
“Property is changing quickly, and in a changing industry trust is what customers hold on to.”
