Stags announces three partnership changes

Stags, the West Country estate agency, has announced three partnership changes for 2022.

The move comes following an extremely busy 18 months since the property market re-opened in the summer of 2020, with property transaction levels increasing significantly as many people brought forward their plans to move to the West Country, according to Alex Rew, managing partner, Stags.

Rew said: “Demand has grown across the board, whether for purchase or rent, and sale prices and rents have increased to reflect this. Some hotspots have risen by over 15% and, with low supply levels, we expect 2022 to be another busy year.

“We are delighted to be able to promote two new Partners, Tracey Hill and Kevin Clarke.”

Both Hill and Clarke have been with the firm for a number of years.

Hill joined Stags in 1995 and has sat on the Estate Agency board for 10 years before joining the partnership.

Clarke joined Stags straight from college and completed a distance learning RICS degree before qualifying as a chartered surveyor. He has worked in a number of positions in the firm, including Exeter residential sales, Farm Agency, Professional Services, Manager of the Dulverton, and, more recently, Honiton offices where he and the team have shown continual development and success.

At the other end of his career journey, Simon Cooper, who joined the firm in 1987, has decided to retire from the Partnership but will remain in the firm sharing his considerable knowledge accrued over several decades.

Rew added: “We welcome both Tracey and Kevin and look forward to working with Simon in his new role.”

The firm has also promoted 14 colleagues to associate and associate partner, as part of a commitment to professional development and in recognition of both hard work and dedication.

Graeme Wadhams joins Seymours as group marketing director

Graeme Wadhams has joined Seymours in Surrey as group marketing director.

Wadhams has plenty of estate agency experience having, until recently, run the marketing operation Curchods 15 years.

He commented: “Given all the [Seymours] branches are owned and run by the partners in the individual locations, the prospect of enhancing their marketing operations fills me with so much enthusiasm. We have some really big plans for the future which can only help to benefit Seymours’ existing and future clients.”

John Ferrucci, director at Seymours, commented: “We are very pleased that Graeme Wadhams has accepted the position of new Group Marketing Director of Seymours, his extensive knowledge of the estate agency business and unique skillset which combines both marketing and design with an ability to manage the deployment of cutting edge technology, we believe will be very valuable for the future of our company.”

Wadhams will soon be joined by Beth Fox, a marketing professional with almost 20 years’ experience. She will be joining the estate agency division after three years working with Seymours Land & New Homes.

Knight Frank new head of UK Residential Valuations

Knight Frank has appointed Katie Parsonson as head of UK residential valuations.

Parsonson’s career at Knight Frank began 14 years ago on the residential graduate scheme. Since then, she has risen to head of London residential valuations and contributed to the Channel Island business, having built strong client relationships over 10 years.

Now in her new role as head of UK residential valuations, Parsonson will also oversee the country residential valuations department.

The UK Valuations department has in excess of 120 years’ combined experience working with an extensive range of clients including trustees, high street and private banks, solicitors, private clients, charities and funds. Parsonson’s main focusses will be furthering the success of the department through its service offering of providing formal valuations and consultancy reports on residential properties, including bespoke small developments, throughout London, the South, and the South-West.

Parsonson, head of UK residential valuations, commented, “I am delighted that my role as head of London Residential Valuations has evolved to leading on Country too. Having worked in the department for so many years, I know I am working with the very best in the industry who have some great ideas to further develop the business.”

James Thompson, head of Consultancy, added: “This progressive move means that there is one department head across Country and London Residential Valuations and ensures greater collaboration and a single platform for information sharing and for driving the business forward. Katie is a fantastic asset to Knight Frank and I look forward to seeing her drive the growth and success of our UK Residential Valuations team further.”