Connells Group announces raft of senior lettings promotions

Connells Group has announced four key promotions across its Lettings division.

Rachel Allison, Tracy Fisher, Nathan Nock and Nick Reynolds take up their new roles with immediate effect.

The company says that their promotions signifying the group’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating long-term career opportunities for colleagues.

The promotions include:

+ Rachel Allison as lettings area director for William H Brown (Norfolk & Suffolk);

+ Tracy Fisher as Connells Group lettings head of operations (Corporate & Insurance);

+ Nathan Nock as lettings area director for Connells Midlands;

+ Nick Reynolds as lettings area director for William H Brown (Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire).

With more than 50 years’ combined experience in the industry – all across Connells, Countrywide and Sequence – the quartet have extensive knowledge within their areas of expertise and a host of past achievements.

As they take up their new roles, their objectives are to support further growth of the lettings division, develop the careers of those in their teams and, ultimately, maximise the potential of their respective businesses.

Commenting on their promotions, Stephen Nation, Connells group lettings managing director, said: “These are well deserved promotions which demonstrate the incredible talent and unlimited career opportunities that we have within our Group.

“The lettings market is ever-evolving, and we must ensure our management is agile and able to lead the way for their teams to react to developments in the industry. I have no doubt that Rachel, Tracy, Nathan, and Nick are perfectly placed to drive forward our business objectives and continue to developour lettings stars of the future.”

Gemma Hemming joins Chosen Home from Fine & Country

Gemma Hemming has joined Chosen Home from Fine & Country, bringing years of experience within the Sutton Coldfield area.

The estate agency, which was launched in September 2020, covers a number of areas across the Midlands.

Hemming said: “I’m a Sutton Coldfield girl born and bred, having spent my whole life here, and it’s a wonderful place for property. Having such a strong background in the town has made selling homes here a real pleasure, it’s astonishing how many times I’ve known a vendor, a potential buyer or their neighbours after spending so many years here.

“I’m delighted to have joined Chosen Home. Since the business launched within the area almost two years ago, the brand has become extremely well-known, and its reputation for excellent customer service and a model of not charging vendors to sell their homes has been a big topic of conversation in recent months.”

“Property sales can be a very dog-eat-dog environment with agents competing for listings and commissions, but I’ve been blown away by the ethos within the business, where everyone acts as a team, providing so much support to one another. It’s a very happy place to work, and the happy clients are the icing on the cake!” she added.

Nicki Ash, director of Chosen Home, commented: “It was essential that we develop our sales team to meet the demand within the region, and we had Gemma in our sights because of her excellent reputation within Sutton Coldfield. We’re thrilled that she’s joined our Dream Team to help us drive the agency forward.”

UKAA appoints Brendan Geraghty as new CEO

The board of UKAA (the UK Apartment Association), the trade organisation for the UK’s Build to Rent (BTR) sector, has announced the appointment of Brendan Geraghty as its new CEO.

Geraghty, an architect, design and development strategist, comes to the role with a deep understanding of the BTR sector, built on roles with Centred Architecture, Optim and Geraghty Taylor Architects.

Active in the sector since 2011, Geraghty has actively championed the integration of consumer culture in BTR with a ‘brand before building’ approach.

Geraghty has already been associated with the UKAA for some time, having managed the content for the recently launched Best Practice Guide. Now, he will lead the organisation as it moves to shape the future of Build to Rent in the UK.

With over 300 members from across the sector and growing at a rate of more than 100 members per year, the UKAA serves as a single unifying and authoritative body for the urban and suburban Build to Rent sector, working with government, investors, lenders, operators, suppliers and customers to support knowledge exchange, expansion and best practice at every level.

Geraghty said: “The potential of Build to Rent is still far from fulfilled – there is appetite for exceptional growth in the UK, particularly at a regional level. UKAA will be at the heart of that growth.”

“We look forward to the organisation’s continued growth with Brendan at the helm at this pivotal time for Build to Rent in the UK,” said Lesley Roberts, president, UKAA.