Residential valuation specialist Jonathon Matthews has been appointed group managing director of M&G Property and Development Consultants (MGPDC) and McLaughlins Chartered Surveyors.
McLaughlins, which has an office in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, specialises in asset management, property development and construction advice while MGPDC, which has an office in Draycott, was set-up last year to acquire and invest in property advisory companies, including surveyors, estate agencies architects and structural engineers.
Now Jonathan has been appointed the top job to help spearhead the group’s expansion plans.
He said: “We have ambitious plans to grow the business by acquiring established property consultants. Business is very challenging for many small independents in the property sector at the moment. They have been hit by alarming increases in professional indemnity (PI) insurance and the coronavirus pandemic has reduced workloads. Many of these businesses are run by senior, experienced practitioners, looking for an exit route.
“Our aim is to bring them into the MGPDC fold, providing capital investment and operational support, and removing the PI headache through economies of scale.”
Sean McLaughlin, co-owner of MGPDC and McLaughlins, said: “Jonathon will bring the best of the corporate world to an established and successful family-owned business. We have the cash and appetite for expansion and look forward to growing the business with Jonathon’s assistance.”
Law firm ORJ Solicitors has appointed property specialist Charlotte Matthews to its growing conveyancing department.
Charlotte joins the Stafford-based company from a Shropshire legal practice, where she built an impressive and loyal client base.
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ORJ managing partner Patrick Tedstone said: “We have a strong and growing presence in the Midlands property scene and sought out Charlotte because of her proven track-record in the residential housing business.
“Not only is she an excellent all-round conveyancing lawyer but Charlotte has specialist knowledge in emerging areas such as shared ownership and Help to Buy.”
Charlotte added: “It’s a very exciting time to join ORJ. They have a great reputation for putting their clients’ interests first and have an enviable working relationship with most of the country’s major housebuilders.
“I’m passionate about helping people get onto the property ladder and ORJ has the resources and ambition to allow me to do just that. We are seeing a strong resurgence in the new-build market post-lockdown and I’m here to help more buyers secure the home of their dreams.”
A commercial finance company has doubled its team from two to four with the recruitment of two new staff.
Beta Commercial Finance, based in Alton, has welcomed Becky Kilday as commercial manager and account manager Sue Matthews this year.
The Staffordshire Moorlands business is now planning to advertise for another two new starters.
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Managing director Tom Wilkinson, who set up the business in 2016, said: “Sue is also from Alton and was on board before lockdown, however, Becky was due to start at the end of March, just as the Prime Minister told people to vacate their offices, if they could.
“I decided her start date should be honoured and that we could start with remote working. It was unusual, as I wanted Becky to be working with me so she could get used to how the company operates, but she’s taken the initiative and we’ve adapted to the new situation.”
Forge Property Consultants has promoted Tom Mason to the role of associate director with immediate effect.
Tom joined Forge Property Consultants – which has offices in Eccleshall and Oswestry – in 2013, after graduating from Harper Adams University.
He passed his Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) in 2014 to become a Chartered surveyor, and is also an RICS registered valuer.
Tom said: “I joined the business as its first full-time employee, fresh out of university.
“Seven years down the line and the business has grown significantly and provided me with an excellent opportunity to develop as a professional, a businessman, and as a person.
“I look forward to offering more valuations, property management and planning advice to farmers, rural business and the domestic market in the Staffordshire area in my new role of associate director.”
Charles Lawson, director and founder of Forge Property Consultants, said: “It is a great pleasure to promote Tom to the role of associate director. It is a key objective of the business to identify, nurture and retain good property professionals and give them the scope to develop their roles and progress within the business.
“Tom’s promotion is in recognition of the success he has achieved over many years of excellent service for Forge Property Consultants.”