Comings & Goings – London Wallet

Executive directors at Related Argent to depart 

Related Argent has today announced that after 17 years with the company, executive directors Michael Lightbound and Nick Searl will be leaving at the end of 2024 – 12 years after they both became partners at the firm.

Lightbound has been finance partner since 2015, leading many of the financial transactions completed at the King’s Cross estate, Heart of Hale and more recently Brent Cross Town.

Searl, after a decade working in various capacities in the King’s Cross development team, has worked as a member of the leadership team of Brent Cross Town since 2016 and was managing partner of Argent LLP from 2020 to April 2024.

They both became executive directors in 2023 ahead of the transition to Related Argent on 1 May 2024.

The ongoing Related Argent senior management team comprises chief executive, Tom Goodall, COO of related companies, Kenneth Wong, chairman, David Partridge and executive directors, Morwenna Hall, André Gibbs and Oli Rifkind, as well as recently appointed senior advisor, John Forrester, who joined the business in May 2024.

Tom Goodall, chief executive of Related Argent, said: “I would like to pay an enormous tribute to Mike and Nick for their outstanding contributions to the success of Argent and more recently Related Argent. I have worked with them for over 12 years and want to take this opportunity to thank them for their personal and professional support throughout this time.

“All of us at Related Argent, and the many colleagues they have worked with over the years across the industry, wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”

Related Argent has a developing portfolio of over 3,000 rental homes across King’s Cross, Brent Cross Town and Tottenham Hale and is looking to expand its rental portfolio beyond this in the future.

Double promotion at Nicol & Co

Nicol & Co in Worcestershire has announced two senior promotions.

Dan Westwood, sales manager, has been promoted to sales director covering all three of the firm’s estate agency branches, which also include Droitwich and Malvern.

Meanwhile, Molly Maguire has been promoted from assistant manager in Worcester to the position of sales and valuation manager for the same office.

Matt Nicol, founder and managing director of Nicol & Co, said: “I’m really pleased to be announcing these senior staff promotions which will help the company to continue its strong performance in the recovering property market.

“Dan has been impressive since joining the company five years ago, quickly climbing up the management ladder by delivering top results.

“I am confident that he will now make the new position of sales director his own and I’m looking forward to having him work closely with the sales and valuation managers across the company.

“Molly is another experienced agent who has progressed into sales since joining Nicol & Co nearly five years ago.

“It’s now the right time for her to steer the ship in Worcester and start contributing to our senior leadership team meetings.

“We are currently experiencing a new surge in demand as a result of mortgage rates starting to fall, and these promotions will ensure we are ready to provide all our customers with the best possible service as the economy continues to recover.”

Westwood, who joined Nicol & Co as a sales specialist in 2019, commented: “I’m thrilled at the way my career has developed with Nicol & Co and feel I am ready to make a real difference in my new role.”

Maguire, who began as a team leader in the client relationship centre at the start of 2020, added: “I’ve loved my job so much since starting at Nicol & Co and feel this is a place where hard work and initiative are rewarded. I’m now relishing the opportunity to lead the team in Worcester.”

Lichfields strengthens London office with new appointment

Lichfields, a well-established planning and development consultancy, has announced the appointment of a new asssociate director.

Andrea MacGregor-Barbour has joined Lichfields and is based in the company’s London office. She will work closely with Ian Anderson, senior director, and the rest of the team to support and develop the company’s portfolio of commercial projects.

She joins from Marks & Spencer, where she spent 17 years as Town Planning Manager, playing a pivotal role in the strategic reshaping of the store estate and leading the planning and development programme across the UK.

At Lichfields, MacGregor-Barbour will be advising key clients, including David Lloyd Leisure and McDonald’s, on a range of developments.

Ian Anderson, senior director at Lichfields, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Andrea to our team. Her extensive experience in planning and development, coupled with her proven track record at M&S, makes her a valuable addition as we continue to expand our commercial services. Andrea’s insight and expertise will help our clients navigate the challenges of the current planning environment.”

MacGregor-Barbour commented: “I am thrilled to join the UK’s preeminent planning consultancy, and the chance to work with a broad range of blue-chip corporate clients, seizing opportunities arising from the Government’s economic growth agenda. I look forward to harnessing my commercial planning experience and adding value to our clients’ development proposals.”

Comings & Goings