Savills makes two senior London agency appointments
Savills has made two senior appointments to its residential sales teams in London.
Callum Hodgson has joined the firm’s Notting Hill office as a director. He has more than 20 years of experience in the property industry, primarily across north and central London.
Hodgson will work alongside director Dan Martin in Notting Hill. He will also work with Savills teams in Kensington, Mayfair and Brook Green.
Meanwhile, Matt Smith has joined Savills’ Islington office as a director.
Smith has worked in the London property market for more than two decades. His new role will focus on family house sales across Barnsbury, Canonbury and Highbury.
Based at Savills’ Upper Street office, Smith will work within the firm’s north and east London network. This includes teams in Hackney, Victoria Park, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf and Wapping.
Both directors will also work with other parts of the Savills business. These include its new homes, Private Office and Auctions teams.
Guild appoints agency director to National Advisory Council
The Guild of Property Professionals has appointed Taylor & Co director Kate Taylor to its National Advisory Council (NAC).
The council advises The Guild on strategy and provides input from member agencies across the UK.
Members can apply to join the NAC, which brings together property professionals from across The Guild’s network.
Taylor brings more than 25 years of property industry experience to the role. Her background covers residential sales, lettings, business management, marketing and compliance.
She launched independent estate and letting agency Taylor & Co in Abergavenny in 2019. The business operates across Monmouthshire and surrounding areas.
Before establishing the agency, Taylor held several senior positions with Newland Rennie and DJ&P Newland Rennie.
She progressed from residential sales manager to residential sales director and later head of residential. Her responsibilities included managing multi-branch sales operations and teams of up to 30 staff.
Taylor also worked on several business development projects during this period. These included rebranding, website and database launches, staff development and technology projects.
Her work also covered AI integration and the acquisition of a rival lettings business.
Taylor & Co currently provides residential sales, lettings, land and rural property services.
Taylor said: “Having worked across so many areas of the property industry, from frontline agency and multi-branch management to business ownership and strategic development, I hope to bring a practical and balanced perspective to the council.
“I am particularly passionate about supporting independent estate agencies and helping businesses adapt and thrive in an industry that is constantly evolving. The Guild has an important role to play in supporting its Members, sharing knowledge and maintaining the high professional standards that strengthen the reputation of our industry. I am looking forward to contributing to those conversations and helping to ensure that the views and experiences of Members continue to shape the future direction of the network.”
Iain McKenzie, CEO of The Guild of Property Professionals, added: “We are delighted to welcome Kate to the National Advisory Council. Her appointment brings a wealth of experience spanning agency leadership, business ownership, sales, lettings, marketing, compliance and strategic change.
“The NAC is an important part of ensuring that The Guild remains connected to the realities, opportunities and challenges faced by independent estate and letting agents every day. Kate’s breadth of experience, combined with her passion for supporting fellow professionals and driving high standards, will make her a valuable addition to the council. We look forward to benefiting from her insight as we continue to develop The Guild for the benefit of our Members and their clients.”
Homes for Students strengthens senior team with marketing hire
Homes for Students (HFS) has appointed Helena Eaton as marketing director.
Eaton joins the student accommodation operator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education marketing.
She previously worked at Wrexham University, where she led brand transformation, student recruitment and strategic marketing projects.
Eaton also previously served as head of marketing at Liverpool John Moores University.
In her new role, she will lead Homes for Students’ marketing strategy. Her responsibilities will include occupancy performance, brand development, digital innovation and stakeholder engagement.
Her previous experience also includes major rebranding projects and data-led marketing strategies. She has also developed customer-focused campaigns aimed at supporting commercial growth and long-term brand development.
Homes for Students operates more than 60,000 beds across the purpose-built student accommodation sector.
David Chadderton, chief marketing officer across the Homes for Students Group, said: “Helena has joined us with an impressive background in leading brand, marketing, recruitment and digital transformation strategies within complex, customer-focused organisations – so naturally we are excited to have her onboard.
“Helena’s expertise is great news for our clients and colleagues and showcases our continuing commitment to strengthening both HFS and our clients’ brand presence.”
