Christine Penny joins Savills 

Savills has appointed Christine Penny as a consultant in its residential sales team in Bath.

Penny has worked in the property industry for more than 25 years, initially as a buying agent in London and France, before joining Hamptons in 1999 when she established its residential sales office in Bath.

She joins Savills from the Bath office of Sotheby’s International.

Penny said: “I have known several members of the Savills Bath team for many years and am delighted to get to work with them as colleagues. As part of this credible and successful team, and with the weight of the professional resources available at Savills, I know that I will be able to offer my clients, old and new, the highest quality service and global reach.

“Bath is both my home and my area of expertise, and it is a privilege to get to work with the best in the business here at Savills and within this wonderful World Heritage city.”

Alistair Heather, head of Savills Bath, commented: “Our team comprises some of the most experienced residential agents within the business, and I am thrilled to have added further weight to it with the appointment of Christine Penny. Her client-base is exceptional, and her track record of buying and selling property in Bath is second to none – already she is proving invaluable.”

He added: “Despite the more challenging market conditions, last year was a very successful one for our team here in Bath, and we were delighted to secure some record landmark sales at the city’s most prestigious addresses. We are already enjoying a busy start to 2024 with an excellent list of properties to launch to the market.”

New starters and promotions at Nicol & Co  

Nicol & Co in Worcestershire has announced several new starters and promotions.

Appointments include Charlotte Kerr as personnel officer, joining the company from Age UK where she was head of people.

Amber McManus has started at the company as a sales specialist in the Malvern office, her first role in property, and another sales specialist is currently being recruited for the Droitwich office.

In terms of internal promotions, Nicol & Co says Molly Maguire, formerly a valuation consultant, has become assistant sales manager in the Worcester office.

Other promotions include Eleanor Stallard, rising from valuation consultant to valuation manager in the Malvern office, and Heather Turner, formerly a sales specialist in Droitwich, becoming a specialist in the New Homes team.

The firm’s managing director, Matt Nicol, said: “We’re very pleased to have secured the services of Charlotte and Amber, who have bolstered our sales and personnel teams.

“We are also really impressed with the progress that Molly, Eleanor and Heather have made and are delighted to announce their well-deserved promotions.

“We are also now in the process of taking on another new starter to fill vacancies in our sales departments.

“All this recruitment and staff development activity is getting Nicol & Co ready for what we predict will become a busy year in the property sector.

“With inflation rates now expected to fall and the consequent drop in mortgage interest rates, we will see the sector getting busier as people who’ve perhaps been waiting for some time to buy and sell come onto the market.

“With our expanding team and newly promoted staff, Nicol & Co will be more than ready to handle this upturn and to continue delivering the best service to our customers.”

Senior appointment at Cushman & Wakefield

Jill Gayford has joined Cushman & Wakefield as a partner heading up the asset services team in Scotland.

Most recently the manager of Pentlands Science Park in Penicuik, Midlothian, Gayford brings 20 years’ experience to the role, having previously held senior positions with BNP Paribas, Galbraith and Applied Capital.

Murray Strang, managing partner at Cushman & Wakefield in Scotland, said, “With her considerable local experience across a multitude of asset and client profiles, Jill understands the challenges, both operationally and financially, facing asset owners at present. Jill is skilled in developing and executing strategies that will support our clients and ultimately add value to their buildings’ performance.  We’re delighted to have her on board.”

Comings & Goings