Hortons expands into Guildford

Hortons has recently entered the Guildford market in Surrey market through a partnership with Iwan Hall, a former Keller Williams agent.

Established in 2016 by Adam Horton, Hortons currently operates in 23 regions, including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, and Northamptonshire.

Hall embarked on his career as an estate agent right after leaving school and has operated as a self-employed agent for the past few years.

Horton said “We’re delighted to have another high-caliber agent join our team. Whilst we’re expanding across the country, the most important factor in our expansion is attracting experienced, high-quality agents and building a thriving community.

“Iwan is the epitome of what it means to be a Hortons partner and we are looking forward to working with him to make Hortons the agent of choice for home sellers in Guildford.”

John Lewis Partnership appoints ex-Royal Mail chief 

Martin Gafsen will join the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) on 13 November as the new director of property.

Gafsen was property and facilities director for the Royal Mail Group for 16 years, leading the strategy for its nationwide freehold and leasehold estate, including facilities management, construction and development.

He was Royal Mail’s investment director for the five years previous where he was responsible for appraisals and recommendations of all major group investment projects, as well as leading the mergers and acquisitions team.

Before joining Royal Mail, he spent six years in the corporate finance team at Paribas investment bank followed by management consulting and in-house corporate finance roles.

Gafsen said: “It’s a great privilege to join the Partnership, home to two of the UK’s most loved brands. With an extensive and valuable property portfolio, we have an important role to play in ensuring it continues delivering value for the long term benefit of customers and Partners for generations to come.”

Homes England’s director of Affordable Housing Grants to retire after 32-year housing career

Jackie Jacob, Homes England’s director of Affordable Housing Grants, is to retire in December following a 32-year career with the agency and its predecessor organisations.

Throughout her career Jacob has played a key part in the delivery of hundreds of thousands of quality, safe, permanent homes to help people in temporary or challenging accommodation conditions.

She has stewarded more than £20bn in grant funding over the last 15 years alone, delivering thousands of much needed affordable homes each year, with over 90,000 since the beginning of 2020 alone.

Homes England chief executive, Peter Denton, said: “Jackie’s unsurpassed passion and dedication to the sector has translated into a life changing impact on countless individuals and families. Over many years I have seen first-hand her skill in translating policy and strategy into the human, delivering social justice by providing more homes for more people where they are most needed.

“I am sad she is leaving, but I wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement. What is wonderful is her approach is infectious and she leaves behind an excellent team who share her dedication. We have now commenced the search for the right person to take on Jackie’s mantle, one of the most important roles in housing.”

Jacob added: “After an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career in the affordable housing sector and 32 years at Homes England I am announcing my retirement. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Homes England and look forward to seeing the work of the Agency, in the years ahead.

“I would like to thank my team for their hard work and dedication in providing the tools our partners need to deliver more affordable homes for those who need them, and I have no doubt they will continue their fantastic work. It has been a pleasure and a privilege working with a wide range of talented people from across the sector.”

Comings & Goings