Three property firms have announced senior leadership appointments as they restructure operations and expand service offerings ahead of regulatory changes and market developments.
LRG restructures lettings division
LRG has implemented a series of senior leadership changes within its lettings division, following the rollout of a single CRM platform across the business. The restructure aims to improve coordination between teams and operational processes.
Allison Thompson has been appointed chief lettings officer, with responsibility for the division and a focus on processes and adapting to upcoming regulation. Richard O’Neill has been promoted to national lettings managing director, where he will focus on new business activity across the division. Sophie Durkin becomes managing director for LRG’s Central region, overseeing performance across brands including Romans, Moginie James, Gibbs Gillespie and Portico.
Thompson said the changes reflect progress made over the past year and will allow focus on operational consistency. “As we move towards the Renters’ Rights Act, that clarity and alignment will be critical,” she stated.
O’Neill said his focus would be on working with regional teams and branches to generate new business growth while strengthening landlord relationships across the network. The changes come as buy-to-let landlord exits remain modest despite pressures on the sector.
Allsop launches planning department
Allsop has appointed Chris Brady as partner and head of planning to lead its newly launched planning department. The move expands the firm’s integrated professional services and development advisory capabilities.
Brady joins from Savills, where he specialised in mixed-use urban regeneration across residential, tourism, employment, retail, leisure, energy, healthcare and community sectors. He brings experience negotiating development contributions for both local authorities and developers.
The department will offer strategic planning advice across the full development lifecycle. Two further hires are expected in the coming months as part of Allsop’s plan to grow the team.
Andrew Boyd, senior partner at Allsop, said the move follows record revenue last year and forms part of the firm’s strategy of growth in complementary business areas. “Planning is fundamental to maximising the potential of land and property,” he commented.
British Land appoints to executive committee
British Land has appointed Michael Wiseman, head of campuses, to its executive committee. Wiseman joined the company from ING Real Estate Development in 2011 and has held senior positions spanning office leasing, asset management and development.
He has played a role in shaping British Land’s campus strategy, including the transformation of Broadgate into a mixed-use destination and expansion into the science and technology sector, with Regent’s Place emerging as a hub for businesses in those sectors.
Simon Carter, chief executive of British Land, said Wiseman’s market knowledge and customer relationships have been central to the company’s leasing activity and the performance of its London campuses over the past decade.
The appointments reflect ongoing restructuring within the property sector as firms prepare for regulatory changes and seek to expand service offerings in response to market conditions.
