Savills Mayfair appoints Fehd Alsaidi 

Savills Mayfair sales department has welcomed a new member with Fehd Alsaidi joining the team as an associate director.

Having worked in the London residential property market for the past 15 years, Alsaidi has spent the last decade operating across Chelsea, South Kensington, Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Belgravia.

Experienced in specialist and more complex asset sales, Alsaidi comes to Savills from Strutt & Parker where he was a senior associate director at their Chelsea office.

Of the appointment, co-head of PCL and head of Savills Mayfair office, Claire Reynolds, commented: “With Fehd on board and given his level of experience, we can really build on and enhance our offering to clients.

“He is an exceptional talent with strong credentials at the upper end of the market and with his valuable contribution, we look forward to further driving our business forward across Mayfair, St James’s, Connaught Village, Soho and Covent Garden.”

Record number of graduates join Knight Frank’s 2021 Graduate Programme

Knight Frank, has announced that 59 graduates have joined its 2021 programme, its largest ever cohort, and a 78% increase on its 2020 programme, which despite difficult circumstances welcomed 33 onto the programme.

Based in Knight Frank offices across the UK, the firm’s 2021 graduates will work across a wider set of teams than previous years, as the programme expands to include planning and building surveying.

Knight Frank utilised the RARE Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) to identify candidates with the greatest potential, irrespective of their background.

In line with the firm’s growing balance initiatives, 45% of the 2021 cohort are female and over 50% are state school educated. Additionally, this year’s group sees a 17% increase in graduates of ethnic minority across the UK and a 21% increase in London alone.

Alistair Elliott, Senior Partner & Group Chairman of Knight Frank, said: “Our agenda for change has been gathering momentum over the past few years, and with the support of external consultants, Wiser and 20-first working closely with our own early careers team, this year’s intake is a true reflection of that.

“We have been committed to our early careers throughout the pandemic and recognise that it’s crucial we support and develop the emerging talent within the industry. Knight Frank’s unique partnership is defined by our people and we are proud to value every individual within the firm. Our Early Careers programme is focused on building the potential of our apprentices, interns and graduates so that they find success in an industry they might not have otherwise considered.

“As we mark our 125^th anniversary this year, we recognise our past but, more crucially, are embracing our future and we look forward to helping to support and champion all those embarking on their careers at Knight Frank.”

Red South West expands

RED Construction South West has announced the appointment of two senior directors to establish the business in the region.

Grant Millar has joined as operations director and James Devey as commercial director. They will work alongside Derek Quinn, who launched the business as managing director at the beginning of September.

With a combined 50 years’ expertise delivering a range of projects in the region, Millar and DEvev join RED South West to deliver across a wide range of markets in line with regional requirements, including residential buildings.

As RED South West’s operations director, Millar now oversees the division’s development and project delivery.

Millar said: “With an abundance of ability and high performing individuals who are experienced and passionate about what they do, RED South West is all set and poised to expand in the region. It will be a contractor and partner that reflects the same ethos as the other companies in the wider group; being trustworthy, honest and good people to do business with.”

Devey brings a wealth of regional market knowledge and complex project delivery experience to the business.

He commented: “The South West is a fascinating region on many levels; the market is buoyant, and the appetite for change and new developments is strong. Over the next few years, we want to demonstrate our ability and positive approach to construction, becoming the lead contractor of choice for the area.”