Three property sector firms have announced senior appointments and a retirement, reflecting ongoing restructuring in the UK lettings and mortgage advisory markets.
Savills appoints Edinburgh lettings head
Savills has appointed Luke Kearns as head of lettings in Edinburgh. Kearns joins from Knight Frank in South Kensington, having previously spent five years at Marsh & Parsons in Notting Hill. He will lead the Edinburgh team, focusing on service delivery, portfolio growth and client advisory as the Scottish rental sector adjusts to regulatory and market changes.
“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,” Kearns said.
John Forsyth, residential director at Savills Edinburgh, noted that Edinburgh’s universities create a graduate talent pool, with many remaining as young professionals. He cited in-migration from the rest of the UK and overseas as contributing to tenant demand.
Amelia Greene, head of Savills UK lettings, stated that the market is showing renewed stability and sustained tenant demand, with landlords exploring opportunities.
Cushman & Wakefield partner to retire after 36 years
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. Court joined Healey & Baker in 1989 as head of retail research and consultancy, moving to the EMEA cross-border retail and leisure team in 2010. She has led the team since 2020, advising occupiers on market entry, global location strategy and agency mandates.
Court received an Outstanding Contribution Award from GRO Retail last year. Rob Travers, head of EMEA retail at Cushman & Wakefield, commented: “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.”
OneDome Growth Partners names head of growth
OneDome Growth Partners has appointed Jason Bryant as 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. His role will involve visiting adviser firms across the UK to understand their needs and match them with OneDome services.
“No two adviser firms are the same, which is why a personal visit is so important,” Bryant said. “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.”
Babek Ismayil, founder and CEO of OneDome Group, stated that Bryant’s appointment reflects the company’s commitment to providing growth solutions to the adviser community.
The appointments come as the UK property sector continues to adjust to regulatory changes in Scotland’s rental market and evolving demand patterns in retail and mortgage advisory services.
