Savills appoints Luke Kearns as head of lettings in Edinburgh
Savills has appointed Luke Kearns as head of lettings in Edinburgh.
Kearns joins from Knight Frank in South Kensington, following five years at Marsh & Parsons in Notting Hill. He brings experience from London’s prime lettings market and returns to Scotland, where he was raised and educated, to lead the Edinburgh team.
His role will focus on service delivery, portfolio growth and client advisory, as the Scottish rental sector adjusts to recent regulatory and market changes. He will work with colleagues across Scotland and the wider UK network to support clients amid continued tenant demand and improving landlord confidence.
Kearns said: “This has been a pivotal period for Scotland’s lettings sector, but with greater clarity now in place and strong, continued demand from tenants, I’m looking forward to supporting landlords with clear guidance and helping them make confident decisions as new opportunities emerge. I’m delighted to be returning to Scotland and joining Savills in Edinburgh — it’s a fantastic market to be part of.”
John Forsyth, residential director at Savills Edinburgh, commented: “Edinburgh remains one of the most sought‑after cities in the UK. Its highly regarded universities create a strong graduate talent pool, with many choosing to stay on as young professionals. Steady in‑migration from the rest of the UK and overseas, and the city’s appeal as a vibrant capital, help create a deep and reliable tenant base.”
Amelia Greene, head of Savills UK lettings, added: “Luke brings valuable experience, strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of the lettings sector. His appointment reinforces our commitment to providing best‑in‑class advice to clients across the city. With the market showing renewed stability and sustained tenant demand, landlords are once again exploring opportunities, and Luke is exceptionally well placed to support them as they do so.”
Cushman & Wakefield’s Yvonne Court to retire after 36 years with the firm
Yvonne Court, international partner and head of Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA Cross Border Retail & Leisure team, will retire at the end of March after more than 36 years with the firm.
She joined Healey & Baker in 1989 as head of retail research and consultancy, later moving into the EMEA cross-border retail and leisure team in 2010. Since 2020, she has led the team, advising occupiers on market entry, global location strategy and agency mandates.
Over her career, Court has worked with retailers, F&B brands and developers on assignments across all populated continents, and has produced a wide body of research and publications on global retail property markets. She has also held roles on the EMEA Retail Board and received an Outstanding Contribution Award from GRO Retail last year.
Court said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have led and been involved in so many varied and exciting global projects over the years at Cushman & Wakefield. The retail and leisure landscape has changed beyond recognition over the decades. I have always been fascinated by how people shop: uncovering what consumers really want, exploring how behaviours evolve, and seeing first-hand how shopping habits differ across regions and cultures. Ultimately, it is consumers that drive the retail real estate market.”
Rob Travers, head of EMEA retail at Cushman & Wakefield, commented: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Yvonne for the last 15 years. Her dedication and leadership have made a profound impact on our business and on the many clients and colleagues she has worked with around the world. We are incredibly grateful for her commitment and the lasting contribution she has made to Cushman & Wakefield.”
OneDome Growth Partners Appoints Jason Bryant as Head of Growth
OneDome Growth Partners has appointed Jason Bryant as its new Head of Growth.
Bryant, who has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage and property sectors, will lead the company’s strategic expansion and manage a team of Growth Experts.
In his role, he will focus on supporting adviser firms across the UK, visiting them in person to understand their individual needs and match them with appropriate OneDome services.
“No two adviser firms are the same, which is why a personal visit is so important,” said Bryant. “You can’t understand a firm’s culture, its challenges, and its true ambitions from behind a screen. My role, supported by our team of Growth Experts, is to be on the ground, listening to business owners and matching the right OneDome propositions to their specific needs. I’m excited to lead this talented team as we help more firms unlock their growth potential.”
Bryant’s appointment reflects his extensive industry experience and his work building relationships with adviser firms. He will continue to provide hands-on support while leading a team to extend OneDome Growth Partners’ reach across the UK.
“We are thrilled to see Jason take on this expanded leadership role,” said Babek Ismayil, founder and CEO, OneDome Group. “His dedication to understanding the nuances of individual adviser businesses aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing truly bespoke growth solutions. By empowering Jason to lead a larger team, we are reinforcing our promise to be a genuine partner to the adviser community.”