Savills appoints new sales head in Notting Hill

Savills has appointed Mark Redfern to head its Notting Hill sales department.

Having worked in the prime central London property market for nearly three decades, Redfern’s new role leading Savills Westbourne Grove office follows several years spent as a director in the firm’s Sloane Street sales team.

Prior to joining Savills in 2021, Redfern co-founded property search business, Oculus Property Advisors. He set up the company after more than a decade as a partner heading Knight Frank’s Kensington operation.

Throughout his career, Redfern has sold some of the neighbourhood’s highest value properties and brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the local prime market to his new position. With a strong track record for running market leading teams, as head of Notting Hill sales, he will oversee an department of specialists who together cover all market segments throughout Notting Hill, Holland Park and Bayswater.

Building on his time in Sloane Street, Redfern and the Notting Hill sales team will work closely with colleagues from Savills flagship branch – including Savills Private Office – as well as those based in Kensington and Chelsea offices.

Redfern commented: “Having spent a significant part of my career working in the locality, it is a great pleasure to return to Notting Hill – a location that I know and love so well. The area continues to attract a wide range of buyers thanks to its strong lifestyle offering, sense of community and breadth of housing stock. I very much look forward to taking the helm of Savills Notting Hill sales department, working with the team and wider London sales business to deliver strong results for our clients.”

Co-head of prime central London residential, Pete Bevan, added: “Mark is perfectly placed to take our Notting Hill sales business forward, bringing strong credentials, a background in leading successful teams and more than 25 years’ worth of experience selling properties in the Capital’s golden postcodes. His appointment demonstrates our commitment to growing market share and providing the very best levels of service throughout all of London’s key locations.”

UK Sotheby’s International Realty announces string of new hires

UK Sotheby’s International Realty has announced several new hires to its existing letting team in prime central London real estate.

Tania Smith, Suzi Robertson, Dean Elgafar, Luke Tye, Gemma Pugh, Tacita Rolls, Rebecca Warren and Ryan Stokes, will join the current letting, James Somers and Diana Tran.

The new recruits hail from firms like Foxtons, Chestertons, Knight Frank, among other letting agencies.

George Azar, chairman and CEO of UK Sotheby’s International Realty commented: “This is a crucial moment for the London prime lettings market, and we are poised to seize this opportunity for sector-wide expansion.

Our top tier team, made up of London’s most esteemed lettings directors, holds immense importance within our organisation. Whilst our primary reputation lies in assisting clients with property buying and selling, the global recognition of the Sotheby’s International Realty network is also known for its unparalleled portfolio of the world’s most attractive rental properties – favoured among high net worth individuals worldwide.

“We welcome Tania, Dean, Luke, Gemma, Suzi, Tacita, Rebecca and Ryan to our ever growing team of London’s most prolific property professionals as we grow an even stronger foothold in London’s prime residential market.”

Bywater welcomes former CBRE UK chairman as a board advisor

Stephen Hubbard, the former UK chairman of CBRE, has joined Bywater as a board advisor.

The appointment bolsters Bywater’s leadership team, which includes chairman Richard Walker, the

executive chairman of Iceland Food Groups, Patrick O’Gorman CEO and Theo Michell COO.

Hubbard has more than 40 years’ experience heading up some of the world’s largest property services and investment firms. He spent the majority of his career at CBRE where he held various senior roles including Head of EMEA and UK Chairman before his retirement in 2019.

He was also appointed non-executive director of the Canada Water Masterplan by Australia’s largest superannuation fund, AustralianSuper, earlier this year.

Hubbard said: “I look forward to contributing to the wider pipeline and investment strategy and helping deliver on the company’s clear sense of purpose.”

Richard Walker, Chairman of Bywater, added: “Stephen brings an insurmountable amount of knowledge and experience to Bywater’s leadership team.”

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