Marsh & Parsons’ regional director joins Hat and Home

Hat and Home has appointed Paul Price to lead their expansion into the Ascot market.

Price joins the independent estate agency after a 15-year central London tenure, the past five of which were at Marsh & Parsons, overseeing the sales proposition of five offices in west London.

Price commented “After spending some 15 years in the capital leading sales teams, I am excited to embark on a new challenge in a business that has impressive growth plans.  Strong leadership, a defined culture and a customer-centric approach make Hat and Home a very appealing proposition.”

“Hat and Home epitomise everything I believe great agency should be; service led and results focused with an emphasis on great marketing.  The growth of the business has been impressive up to now and I am looking forward to helping drive future growth as their aggressive expansion continues.”

Price, who joins the business as director is no stranger to Hat and Home founder Ben Gee.

Gee explained: “I have worked alongside Paul [Price] for a number of years and have always admired his calm and considered persona coupled with his laser-sharp understanding of the market and an uncanny ability to get the best out of his team.

“I am delighted to welcome Paul to the Hat and Home senior leadership team and look forward to working with him to develop the Hat and Home brand in an exciting new  territory.”

According to Gee, lettings is seen as key to growth for the business, and the agency is offering 12 months free lettings for the first 30 landlords to list their properties via the Ascot office.

Knight Frank appoints new lettings head in Aldgate office

Knight Frank has appointed Andrew Twagira as head of lettings in its Aldgate office.

Twagira joined Knight Frank in 2018, where he rose from letting negotiator in the King’s Cross office to associate by June 2022.

In his new role, Twagira will run Knight Frank’s lettings office in Aldgate. He will be tasked with leading the team and building the firm’s market share in the area. He will be supported by Taylor Cooke who is moving from Knight Frank’s Canary Wharf office to take on Twagira’s previous role as negotiator.

Twagira commented, “This promotion represents not only a significant milestone in my career but also a testament to the incredible team and supportive environment that Knight Frank provides.

“My aim is to make Knight Frank Aldgate the destination of choice for anyone seeking an unrivalled letting service, leaving a lasting impression on our clients and community. I look forward to an inspiring journey ahead, filled with achievements, growth, and shared successes.”

Jon Reynolds, regional partner at Knight Frank commented, “Since stepping in as interim manager in Aldgate, Andrew has delivered exceptional results thus far. I’m sure with his experience as a lettings negotiator, combined with his tenure as director of Knight Frank’s ‘strengthening our culture’ board, he will quickly settle into the role and lead the office to new heights this year.”

The Octagon Group names James Silverthorne as new group operations director

James Silverthorne has been appointed by The Octagon Group as group operations director and board member.

Silverthorne, who started out in the industry working for Housing Association Aldwyck Housing Group (now part of Peabody), has held several senior roles.

When the private sector then came calling – with a role at Annington Developments – hard to turn down, he got involved with leading a number of masterplans and large-scale developments, including Millbrook Park in north London.

He commented: “I joined just as construction began at Millbrook Park, so was heavily involved in the very early infrastructure and demolition, working closely with the JV partner, Countryside. It was the first big, multi-phase regeneration project I got involved with, so it was very exciting. It’s great to see how far it’s come from all those years ago too.”

Silverthorne later joined St George as a project director in 2012, managing the Beaufort Park development in Hendon.

Taylor Wimpey’s East London business was James’ next step – utilising his commercial experience to build a 750 home mixed use scheme including a large sports centre in Leyton.

Now he has joined Octagon as group operations director.

Tim Banks, CEO at Octagon, commented: “James is already a huge asset to the Octagon Group. His experience is unrivalled – he’s done it all, which leaves him incredibly well placed to help every team move forward, streamline our processes, and build on the current business strategy.”

“As we look to increase output through the Chancery Homes upper mid-market brand, we couldn’t ask for a better person to be overseeing the teams – we’re thrilled to have him on the Board, and look forward to seeing what we can deliver together.”

Comings & Goings