Savills strengthens Harpenden residential sales team
Savills has strengthened its residential sales team in Harpenden with the appointment of associate director Joe Freeth as head of town sales.
Freeth has 13 years’ experience working in residential sales across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire – most recently at independent estate agents Trend and Thomas in Rickmansworth.
He will work alongside head of office Doug Sleaper and will lead its town sales team with a specific focus on Harpenden and its immediate surrounds.
The office has also welcomed sales negotiator Pippa Kearns.
Kearns graduated last year and is starting her career in estate agency.
Commenting on his appointment, Sleaper said: “Savills has a strong network of offices in Hertfordshire and wider Home Counties. I’m excited to join what is already a very experienced and successful team.
“The Harpenden office has an accomplished track record and I want to continue to build on that success – working together with others and using my own experiences to help drive future growth and provide the best possible service for our clients.
“Having lived and worked in the area for several years I know Harpenden well. The town and its surrounding villages continue to be extremely popular with buyers and properties are highly sought after. We are looking forward to a busy end of the year, with lots of exciting instructions in the pipeline.”
The head of office Doug Sleaper, added: “We are delighted to welcome Joe and Pippa on board. Their arrival ensures the evolution and expansion of our team continues and the services we offer clients is further enhanced.
“Joe brings a great deal of experience and expertise to a core area of our business where we are looking to grow and increase our market share. Pippa’s enthusiasm is second to none and she has already hit the ground running. We look forward to supporting her career development.”
Vanessa Hale joins BNP Paribas Real Estate’s UK executive committee
BNP Paribas Real Estate, part of the BNP Paribas Group, has announced that Vanessa Hale has expanded her role to join the firm’s UK executive committee as head of research and strategy.
Hake has 25 years’ experience in global research and strategy across the built environment, and has spent 12 of those working for BNP Paribas Real Estate and Strutt & Parker. She most recently served as Head of Research & Insights and assumes the new roles with immediate effect.
Etienne Prongué, CEO (UK) at BNP Paribas Real Estate, commented: “Vanessa’s appointment is a pivotal step for our business as we prepare for the next stage of our strategic plan over the next five years. Vanessa has an impressive track record and a deep understanding of the dynamics of the real estate sectors in which we operate. This extensive expertise in global research and strategy will bring a fresh perspective on emerging opportunities as a new real estate cycle begins, including our unique proposition as the only major real estate consultancy owned by a bank which allows us to build unrivalled solutions for our clients.”
Hale added: “It’s a truly transformative era for real estate markets and the sector is entering what we believe is a new phase of growth. Debt costs are now trending downwards and prime yields have stabilised at higher levels. The UK is well positioned to be the darling of European real estate next year and we forecast around £53bn will be invested in commercial real estate in 2025, while confidence improves in the residential market.”
“With an ever improving outlook to take advantage of, my primary focus will be to support the business to identify new areas for strategic growth and opportunities for enhanced profitability across our existing services by using innovative, data-led strategies.”
BNP Paribas Real Estate and Strutt & Parker operate across the commercial, residential and rural sectors. It forms part of a global real estate offer which operates in 24 countries via local offices, platforms and alliance partners with over 5,000 employees. In the UK, it has a network of over 50 offices in key cities and towns.
Wates appoints regional managing director
Wates Residential has announced Paul Nicholls as its new regional managing director for London, joining the business in February 2025.
Nicholls brings more than 30 years of experience in the sector and will oversee Wates residential’s ambition to be a leading development partner in London.
It marks his second time at Wates Residential, returning after four years of pursuing his own projects in the industry.
He will report into Philippa (Pip) Prongué who starts in January as executive managing director, taking over from Helen Bunch who is retiring early next year.
Bunch said: “The housing crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing our capital. Paul’s expertise will help us accelerate the deployment of private investment to support the delivery of both the GLA and Government’s ambitious housing targets.
“He re-joins a team that is much more regionalised than it was previously, a decision we made to get closer to our customers and projects. He will bring renewed drive to an already-strong Board and team within the London region.”
Nicholls commented: “Wates Residential has always had a special place in my heart and it’s been great to see its growth and development in recent years. It is a joy to be returning to the business that I feel is a cultural home for me, driven by its purpose to reimagine places for people to thrive.
“The time I’ve had setting up my own business and advising other large-scale businesses has proven invaluable where I learnt more about myself and about the inherent risks within the sector. I am excited to join Pip and the rest of the team as we embark upon a new approach to increasing investment and delivery across London.”
Nicholls replaces Nick Williams who is retiring after 40 years in the industry – three of them at Wates.
Comings & Goings
