North Residential hires Savills director to lead new homes division
North Residential has appointed Anne Haggas as head of new homes as the estate agency looks to expand its development business across Yorkshire.
Haggas joins the independent agency from Savills, where she worked within its residential development and new homes business.
She will lead North Residential’s New Homes division and work with developers and housebuilders across the region.
Her role will cover development appraisals and consultancy as well as marketing, launches and sales.
Yorkshire expansion
The appointment comes as North Residential looks to increase its presence in the Yorkshire new-build market.
Haggas said: “There is a real opportunity to build something special within the New Homes division, combining strong developer relationships, detailed market knowledge and a genuinely bespoke approach to the marketing and sale of new homes.”
She added that she would work with the agency’s developer clients to grow the division across Yorkshire.
Harlan Pollitt, founder of North Residential, said: “Anne joining North Residential is a significant appointment for us.
“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the new homes sector, as well as an excellent understanding of developers and the Yorkshire property market.”
Pollitt said the agency planned to expand its new homes operation, with Haggas leading the next stage of its development.
Savills appoints new head of Cambridge new homes team
Savills has named Ashley Gale as head of its new homes team in Cambridge.
Gale joined the agency in 2025 and has more than 20 years’ experience in the property sector. He previously worked for housebuilders Hopkins Homes and Weston Homes.
Since joining Savills, he has worked within its Cambridge residential development sales team. His role has included advising developers on marketing strategies and overseeing new homes sales.
He will now lead the team as developers navigate changing market conditions across Cambridge and the surrounding area.
Gale said demand for new homes remained resilient, despite wider challenges facing the housing market.
“Although not without its challenges, demand for new homes in and around Cambridge remains robust,” he said.
He attributed demand partly to investment in the city’s life sciences and technology sectors, alongside Addenbrooke’s and Royal Papworth hospitals.
Gale also highlighted Cambridge South station, AstraZeneca’s investment in the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and GSK’s planned relocation from Stevenage.
He said these developments would help support the local housing market in the coming years.
Tom Fraser, head of Savills’ Cambridge office, said: “The strength of our business is reflected in the continued progression and development of our staff and I would like to extend my congratulations to Ashley.”
Fraser added that Gale’s experience would support the firm’s work with housebuilders and developers across the region.
Taylor Rose promotes two residential property specialists to partner
Taylor Rose has promoted two senior residential property solicitors to consultant partner as part of four appointments across the law firm.
Nazgol Khosravi and Nirali Patel have secured promotions within the firm’s residential property operations, covering conveyancing, new-build transactions and property finance.
Khosravi joined Taylor Rose in 2020 and previously held the position of lead consultant solicitor.
Since joining, she has built a conveyancing team of more than 25 professionals. Her work includes complex residential transactions involving high-net-worth clients and property investors.
Khosravi qualified as a solicitor in 2019. In her new role, she will focus on expanding her team, developing junior lawyers and strengthening relationships across the property sector.
Patel has also become a consultant partner within the firm’s Residential Property, New Build and Real Estate Finance division.
She has more than 11 years’ post-qualification experience, specialising in residential conveyancing, new-build purchases, remortgages and bridging finance.
Her practice also covers Sharia-compliant lending and international property clients.
Patel will now focus on expanding the firm’s residential property and finance work, alongside developing referral opportunities.
The appointments form part of a wider round of four partner promotions.
Alex Rooney has become partner and acting head of property litigation within the dispute resolution division.
Rooney joined Taylor Rose in March 2023 and has served as acting head of department since May 2025.
Meanwhile, Ali Freeman has become partner and head of marketing – direct services. She is the first member of the firm’s marketing team to reach partner level.
Freeman joined Taylor Rose in 2018 as a marketing executive.
Antony Jaggard, chief executive of Taylor Rose, said: “These appointments reflect the strength and breadth of talent across Taylor Rose, as well as our continued commitment to investing in the people and specialist capabilities that will support our future growth.
“By elevating talent from within, we continue to strengthen our capabilities in key practice areas and expand our offering nationwide.”
