Hockey Estate appoints new directors
Hockeys Estate Agents has promoted Harriet Wicklen and Liam Upton to director roles as the agency strengthens its senior leadership team.
Both have held senior positions within the business and have been involved in its expansion across the East of England.
Wicklen’s new role follows her work across the agency’s residential operations, while Upton has been involved in developing the firm’s market presence and business performance. The promotions form part of Hockeys’ ongoing management structure as the company continues to grow its network and client base.
The agency said the appointments recognise the contribution both individuals have made to the business and their increased responsibilities within the organisation.
Jeremy Trott, director at Hockeys Estate Agents, commented: “Harriet and Liam have both made a huge impact on the business. They lead from the front, consistently deliver for clients, and embody the standards we expect at Hockeys. This is a very well-earned promotion for both of them, and I’m excited to see the role they will play as we continue to grow.”
Spicerhaart hires first marketing and communications director
Spicerhaart has appointed Olivia Moss as its first marketing and communications director, a newly created role spanning the group’s estate agency, lettings and financial services operations.
Moss joins from L&Q, where she led brand strategy and digital transformation initiatives. She previously worked on the development of the Virgin Media brand and brings more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and communications.
Her responsibilities will cover the group’s mortgage business, Just Mortgages, as well as estate agency brands including haart, Haybrook, Darlows, Felicity J Lord, Butters John Bee, Howards and Chewton Rose.
The appointment comes as Spicerhaart looks to strengthen brand consistency across its businesses and support ongoing digital transformation projects. The role will also focus on marketing collaboration across the group and increasing the use of video content.
More than 150 Just Mortgages advisers are based within Spicerhaart’s branch network, with Moss expected to work across both the property and financial services sides of the business.
Moss said: “I bring a strong track record of leading cultural change, bringing teams together around a clear vision and aligning marketing closely with commercial goals.
“I’m a big believer that the best results come when everyone is pulling in the same direction, with collaborative input in the strategy, shared ownership and energy behind the outcome.
“Through the combination of its established estate agency brands and financial services expertise with Just Mortgages, Spicerhaart offers incredible scale and ambition and I’m excited to be part of its next chapter.
“My role will be about bringing together brand, digital, data and people in supporting the organisation’s drive to achieve meaningful growth, both locally and nationally.
“With its significant footprint of 650 brokers nationwide, I’m particularly excited to be working with the team at Just Mortgages as it continues to grow from strength to strength.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to further elevate the brand within the intermediary and wider financial services sector, while showcasing the expertise, value and support it offers to brokers and customers.”
Paul Smith, founder and chairman of Spicerhaart, added: “Appointing our very first marketing and communications director is a landmark moment for the business and a clear statement of intent as we position ourselves for growth in a rapidly-changing landscape.
“Olivia’s track record of integrating creativity with commercial outcomes is exactly what we need as we continue to evolve at pace at Spicerhaart.
“Her expertise in driving brand transformation and her passion for delivering customer-centric marketing will be invaluable as we take forward our exciting plans that include AI services and automation.”
Matthew Swallow joins Gleeson Homes as commercial director
Gleeson Homes has appointed Matthew Swallow as commercial director for its North West region, covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cumbria.
Swallow joins the housebuilder from Story Homes, where he served as commercial director for the past eight years. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the housebuilding sector, having worked across Cumbria and the wider North West throughout his career.
He began his career with Persimmon Homes as a quantity surveyor before moving to Story Homes, where he progressed through a number of commercial roles before joining the senior leadership team.
In his new position, Swallow will oversee the commercial function across Gleeson’s North West operations, including procurement, cost management and supplier relationships.
The appointment comes as the housebuilder continues to expand its presence in the region. Gleeson currently has eight active developments across the North West and plans to bring a further six sites forward during the next financial year.
Matthew Swallow, commercial director at Gleeson Homes, commented: “With a strong team in place, I look forward to building on the existing business and relationships in Cumbria, whilst growing and establishing the Greater Manchester and Merseyside region.”
Joanne Morrison, regional managing director at Gleeson Homes, commented: “He [Swallow] brings a wealth of experience and a strong commercial mindset, which will be instrumental as we continue to grow our presence across the North West. His expertise will help ensure we maintain consistent commercial performance while delivering on our ambitious growth plans.”
Good luck to Olivia Moss.
In an industry that is struggling and a company that has a high turnover in staff, working with the now less-senior Head of Marketing will be a headache that might not go away.
Much of the Spicerhaart quotes are likely to be AI-generated as they are similar to anyone starting a high position in this company – lets hope she lasts longer than other directors that are somehow still in the job and that she can actually back her quotes up.
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