Winkworth appoints new executive director

Winkworth has announced the appointment of Tara Tan to its board as an executive director.

Tan, a qualified solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience, joined the Winkworth team in 2001 and became a director of Winkworth Franchising Limited (“WFL”) in 2004 as director of legal and business affairs.

Tan stepped down from WFL and left the company in 2006 to focus on other interests. She re-joined in 2012 as a consultant, and in 2014 was appointed to work full time as general counsel before re-joining the board of WFL in 2020.

Tan will provide strategic and transactional guidance to the business development team and to the day-to-day commercial operations team, as well as continuing her work on brand protection, network compliance and training.

Tan said: “Winkworth is a heritage brand to whose success I and many at Winkworth, both as franchisees and franchisor, have devoted our careers. For me it has been almost 20 years of close involvement with the Company, so I am delighted with the opportunity to further develop and grow the business.”

Simon Agace, non-executive chair of Winkworth, commented  “Tara represents a fresh approach to helping franchisees manage compliance by combining training with a more aligned compliance team consisting of industry, legal and financial professionals. The aim is to offer better protection to Winkworth and its franchisees in a competitive industry facing increasing regulation.”

New non-executive director at Agent and Homes

Estate Agency service provider Agent and Homes has appointed a professional investor and former asset manager as a non-executive director.

Guy Bowles founded and ran ingenious asset management until 2016 – growing the company to a business managing £2bn of client assets.

Since then he has concentrated on investing in start-up and early stage companies.

Agent & Homes founder, Rollo Miles, said: “I am delighted that Guy has joined us, both as a director and an investor.

“He brings a wealth of experience to our board and a hugely impressive track record of success. We are a stronger company as a result and I have no doubt he will contribute massively to our plans for growth.”

Finance consultant, Finbarr Jones, added: “The agents we currently serve are located primarily across London. Our plan is to expand our network of agents further afield into the regions.

“In this regard we may at some stage seek investment to accelerate our growth and in Guy we have someone with both the background and experience as a business advisor and a proven track record in capital markets and business expansion. We are thrilled to have someone of Guy’s calibre, capability and experience and very much look forward to working with him on our future growth strategy.”

Bowles commented: “I’m thrilled that Rollo has invited me to join the team here at Agent and Homes. I have a total belief in their business model and I know that their approach will grow to be a huge part of the estate agency market.

“I have a strong affinity with their ethics and Rollo has built an outstanding team with a strong agent-centric culture. As an investor in the business and as a board member, I look forward to supporting their ambitious plans for growth.”

Wyatt Homes hires financial director

Poole-based Wyatt Homes has appointed Matthew Bennett as its financial director.

Before joining Wyatt Homes, Bennett, 48, served as a chartered accountant for over 25 years, gaining extensive financial and operational expertise at several large companies.

Additionally, he held senior board roles for a range of well-known housebuilders in the South West of England.

Bennett said: “It is refreshing to find a housebuilder whose focus is the production of a truly well-finished product in developments that look exceptional.

“I have already seen that Wyatt Homes has a great values-driven culture with an experienced and passionate team, and I can’t wait to assist the business on the next stage of its journey.”

Shaun Pettitt, MD at Wyatt Homes, added: “His [Bennett’s] wealth of experience and insight will undoubtedly enhance our bid to deliver further growth for the Company whilst maintaining our commitment to crafting exceptional homes.”

Comings & Goings