HR director is latest appointment to Spicerhaart’s board
Spicerhaart’s HR director has been promoted to the company’s board after being credited with helping to foster a high-performance culture and promoting diversity and inclusion across the business.
Sam McLoughlin joined the independent estate and letting agency last year, bringing with her more than 20 years’ experience in human resources.
Her work on curating the company’s culture, developing values and strengthening the presence of HR across the business has led to her being offered a board position.
McLoughlin said: “My key achievements so far have been building an HR team who are focused on building our culture and increasing the engagement we have with our people, by creating an environment where our people are the best versions of themselves.
“We now have HR business partners based regionally who are getting out regularly into the branches. This is in addition to our brilliant administration team working out of our head office in Colchester, and our recruitment team in Wales who all focus on providing an excellent support service”.
“Everything we are doing is to try and create a workplace that truly inspires everyone to thrive.”
McLoughlin joined Spicerhaart from the Charterhouse Group, and while this role is her first foray into the property industry, she previously worked in the manufacturing, engineering, military, IT and hospitality sectors.
She added: “I am extremely privileged and delighted to have been offered this role – it is an amazing opportunity.
“It shows Spicerhaart’s commitment to developing our HR strategy and making it a key part of the business all over the country.”
Commenting on McLoughlin’s appointment, executive chairman, Paul Smith, said: “In the short time that Sam has been with us, her impact has been nothing short of remarkable.
“She has been a driving force in upholding our cherished family values, with a keen focus on promoting diversity, ensuring inclusion, and fostering a culture of exceptional performance.
“Sam’s dedication and expertise make her an invaluable addition to our board, and we wholeheartedly welcome her to this role.
“Together with the rest of the board, I look forward to Sam’s continued support and contributions, as we collectively steer Spicerhaart toward a future marked by growth, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our shared objectives.”
As well as Smith and McLoughlin, Spicerhaart’s board also includes joint CEOs John Phillips and Antony Lark, chief financial officer Mark Hurdle, chief information officer Steve Lamb and land and new homes managing director Tim Wardley.
Fisher German appoints Emily Billson and Katie Lea
Fisher German has appointed Emily Billson and Katie Lea to its Midlands Agency team based in Ashby to bolster the firm’s multi-disciplined expertise across the region.
They bring more than 13 years of agency experience between them, with specialist knowledge of the Staffordshire and Derbyshire markets and a strong track record in the sale of village and country homes.
The firm has also promoted Lizzie Hefferin-Towey, who has been at the firm for three years, to negotiator.
Billson joins the firm after spending almost 10 years at an estate agency with offices in Ashby and Burton and has considerable experience in selling village and country homes across the East Midlands region.
She said: “I am delighted to join Fisher German – a firm which has an extremely good reputation for its agency work across the UK.
“It is exciting to join such a diverse, multi-disciplinary firm that can offer a wide range of property services to clients.
“Having worked in estate agency for almost 10 years I bring with me a strong knowledge of the region, and I am looking forward to using my expertise to support the growth of the business.”
Lea joins the firm from her role as a senior sales negotiator at an estate agent in Burton and brings with her an extensive knowledge of Staffordshire and beyond.
She said: “I am very pleased to join Fisher German, adding to the expertise of an already strong agency team in Ashby.
“I specialise in the sale of both country and village properties, and living in Alton means that I have very good market knowledge across the whole of the region and the wider East Midlands.
“The whole team has been extremely welcoming, and it is a fantastic opportunity to work for one of the UK’s top property consultancies that delivers a wide range of core services in all market sectors.
Hefferin-Towey joined the firm at an administrative level but has progressed within the business after demonstrating an interest in property agency.
She said: “It is fantastic to be promoted to negotiator. When I joined Fisher German I hadn’t previously worked in sales, but the firm has given me the opportunity to pursue my interests and develop my knowledge and skills.
“I have a varied role which involves both sales and putting together detailed marketing material for properties. The whole team in Ashby has been very supportive and I look forward to now progressing further within the firm.”
Thomas Blake, associate partner at Fisher German, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be strengthening our Midlands Agency offering to further reinforce our commitment to our clients to deliver the best possible service.
“We have considerable regional knowledge, supported by our national network of 27 offices, providing unrivalled multi-disciplined expertise across all property matters.
“Lizzie, Emily and Katie specialise in the sale of country and village properties, supporting the broader team, which also offers rural and farm agency expertise, as well as development and new homes advice.
“We have also grown our property auction department in order to provide a complete property consultancy service.
“Amongst much market uncertainty, we are pleased to report strong activity within our sectors as the region remains resilient, and we consider this a perfect time to add further experience to our established Midlands team.”
Gleeson Homes appoints group sales director
Gleeson Homes has announced the appointment of Steve McElroy to the newly created role of group sales director.
He has worked in the housebuilding sector for 30 years, previously holding sales and marketing director roles at Keepmoat Homes and Miller Homes. He was then regional sales director at Gleeson Homes and Keepmoat, before launching a related consultancy business through which he continued to work closely with Gleeson, particularly in its South and West Yorkshire and Midlands teams.
As group sales director at the affordable housebuilder, McElroy will be responsible for supporting and ensuring that Gleeson’s sales teams across all regions are delivering affordable homes to those who most need them, and are performing in line with the company’s strategic growth ambitions.
Mark Knight, chief executive at Gleeson Homes, commented: “I cannot think of a better candidate for Group Sales Director, considering Steve’s extensive industry track record and in-depth existing knowledge of Gleeson. In the current market, establishing a comprehensive sales capability is more important than ever, and we need to ensure that our sales teams are provided with the tools to drive completions and boost revenues. I look forward to working closely with Steve across our regions as we enter our next phase of growth and continue in our mission to provide high-quality, affordable homes.”
McElroy added: “Gleeson Homes has a clear proposition and an unwavering commitment to quality and affordability, and I look forward to supporting our teams as they do their upmost to drive sales, maximise conversions and together deliver the Company’s significant growth potential.”
