TPO names new chair
The Property Ombudsman has appointed Claire Bassett as the new chair of its Board. She will succeed Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe at the end of her eight-year term on 30 April.
Bassett currently serves on the Board of the Chartered Insurance Institute and as a non-executive director of the Serious Fraud Office, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Law Commission.
Until 2022, she was deputy director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Prior to this, Bassett was chief executive of the Shadow Trade Remedies Authority (the UK body that investigates unfair trade practices) and the Electoral Commission (the UK’s independent elections watchdog and regulator of party and election finance).
Previously, she was chief executive of two other government arm’s-length bodies: the Parole Board and the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Earlier in her career, Bassett was a director of Nacro, the crime reduction charity, and Chief Executive of Connexions Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. She also held various roles at the Legal Services Commission and began her career as a management trainee in the construction industry.
Bassett was also vice-chair and a trustee at the Internet Watch Foundation, an organisation that works to make the Internet safer for children.
Bassett said: “I am delighted to be joining The Property Ombudsman Board at such an exciting time for the organisation. I have been made very welcome by everyone I have met so far and am looking forward to meeting with colleagues and stakeholders as soon as possible.”
Baroness Warwick added: “I know she [Bassett] will help TPO respond creatively to the fast-moving property landscape. As I hand over the Chair role, I have every confidence that the organisation will continue to improve its service in the capable hands of our interim CEO, Andy Clachers and interim Ombudsman, Lesley Horton.”
Related Argent names new chairman
John Forrester has been appointed Related Argent chairman, succeeding David Patridge who is retiring after 35 years of dedicated service.
Forrester, who was appointed as strategic advisor to the Related Argent board in May 2024, will take over as chairman effective 1 May 2025, working closely with the Related Argent leadership team to directly support the continued growth of the respected Related
Argent business.
He brings a wealth of global experience that spans all aspects of property investment, development, operations and management. Over a 35-year career, which includes serving as group CEO and global president of Cushman & Wakefield, Forrester has worked on high-profile projects both in the UK and globally, including partnering with Related Argent colleagues during Cushman & Wakefield’s 15-year tenure as office leasing agent for the King’s Cross estate.
David Partridge joined Argent in 1990 and was appointed joint chief executive in 2006, managing partner in 2012 and senior partner in 2019.
During his 35-year tenure, Partridge led many of Related Argent’s well-known projects, including overseeing the regeneration of
King’s Cross in London and Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester, and the formative stages of the redevelopment of Brent Cross Town in London.
The ongoing Related Argent leadership team comprises chief executive director, Tom Goodall, and executive directors, Morwenna Hall, André Gibbs and Oli Rifkind.
Forrester said: “London is the most global of all property markets and a developer with the pedigree, capability and reach of Related Argent is a hugely compelling partner for any business seeking to create aspirational assets.
“Working with Ken, Tom and this incredibly talented team, I am pleased to be taking on this new role where I’ll be focusing on identifying new opportunities and building relationships for Related Argent. For some time, we have been seen as the best at delivering large,
complex mixed-use communities, but going forward we also intend to apply that hard-earned reputation to single, although still large, development opportunities.”
Tom Goodall, chief executive director of Related Argent, commented: “On behalf of all of us at Related Argent, I would like to thank David Partridge for his enormous contribution to the success of this company and its projects over more than three decades. His personal and
professional support has been invaluable to me and so many others, both at Related Argent and across the industry, and we wish him the very best for the future.
“John joined the business as Strategic Advisor 12 months ago and I am delighted he ha agreed to become our new Chairman. The breadth and depth of his global experience acquired over a 35-year career will be invaluable as we work to grow the business. We are looking forward to continuing our work with him and pushing ahead with our strategic objectives.”
Kenneth Wong, COO of Related Companies, remarked: “I have known John professionally and personally for many years and am confident that the Related Argent leadership team will benefit exponentially from his unparalleled, deep experience and innumerable industry relationships. With his guidance and focus, John will help cement our ambition for Related Argent’s growth in London and beyond.
“I also want to express my sincere gratitude to David Partridge, who has played a crucial role in the growth and success of our business. It is thanks to his strategic mindset and collaborative nature that we are well-positioned to make this leadership transition. We are cheering for David as he dives straight into his next business adventure.”
David Partridge, outgoing chairman of Related Argent, added: “It is with mixed emotions that I am retiring from my post as chairman of Related Argent. For more than half of my 35 years at the business, I have been privileged to have been in leadership roles where I have
helped to build both the company and our hugely significant projects in so many cities across the country. Working alongside a team of brilliantly talented colleagues, we have accomplished so much.
“On the other hand, I am extremely proud to leave Related Argent in such good hands. It has an impeccable reputation, an enviable pipeline of schemes, a stable ownership structure with a long-term vision and most importantly, a fantastic leadership team that will lead the
business to even greater success.”
North Residential promotes director Lucy Crane
North Residential has promoted director Lucy Crane who will now lead its Harrogate headquarters
Crane, who joined North Residential in October 2024 to manage the estate agency’s expansion into Ilkley, will continue to lead its newest branch in the West Yorkshire spa town alongside her new role in Harrogate.
She said: “I am thrilled to now be heading up our Harrogate head office, in addition to continuing to lead our newest branch in Ilkley.
“It is a real dream come true to have the opportunity to manage our team and continue to drive our growth in Harrogate and across the region.
“Since joining the North Residential team in October 2024, I’ve seen first-hand the real impact our market leading unique and modern approach to estate agency has on both buyers and sellers as we strive to make what is often a stressful time as smooth and simple as possible.
“I’m excited to continue working closely with our fantastic team as we drive forward into our next phase of growth.”
Harlan Pollitt, North Residential, added: “I am pleased to be sharing the news of Lucy’s promotion to head up our Harrogate office.
“Her promotion follows her instant success in Ilkley where she has quickly established our team’s reputation as local and knowledgeable experts and also as a result of her excellent work ethic and teamwork.”
Comings & Goings
