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Brethertons LLP has announced the appointment of its Director of Legal Services Alison McCormack to the position of CEO effective from the 11 th April, succeeding Shaun Jardine McCormack joined Brethertons ten years ago in 2009. Before joining Brethertons, McCormack spent nearly 14 years at DHL International (UK) Ltd in senior leadership roles at national level, including New Business Development Manager and Customer Care Manager. During her tenure at DHL, McCormack was instrumental in strengthening and s

Gone are the days when rental schemes catered almost exclusively for recent graduates and young professionals, who want to enjoy city living while waiting to get on the property ladder. Now we are seeing more people in their 30s and 40s renting, not out of necessity, but because they are looking for fully-serviced, ultra-low maintenance homes in the suburbs.  Sometimes they are relatively high earners not yet ready to tie their capital up in property, and/or need the flexibility of being able to relocate

Earl Kendrick have always been at the cutting edge of the building surveying business, and are acknowledged experts in surveying for the residential sector. Over the years, they have won consecutive awards and been recognised as thought leaders in the industry.   Earl Kendrick’s success has always been driven by a determination to understand clients’ changing needs, and their new financial year sees the business relaunch. From 1 May 2019, Earl Kendrick becomes a director-led consultancy focused on high qu

Future Group is delighted to announce its new security business, Future Security Solutions, launched today to meet the growing demand for knowledge leaders in residential block safety, security and access systems.   Life safety and security are now right at the top of property managers’ agendas, says Future Group Director Jamie Willsdon. “We’ve launched Future Security Solutions in response to block management clients who need specialist advice and are calling for a complete turnkey service with security

Principle Estate Management has recruited an experienced property manager to look after part of its Midlands portfolio as it continues to rapidly expand after just one year of operations. Brett Williams launched Principle in Birmingham in April 2018 to provide a nationwide property management service and directors Ian Smallman and Joe Jobson joined in 2018, and employs consultant surveyor Sam Boot, executive assistant Belinda Beasmore property assistant Isaac Milne and customer services manager Michelle C

According to a 2018 survey, the UK fitness market is growing at an incredible rate. It's currently the fastest growing business sector in the country, with an annual growth rate of 8.5%. In simple terms - people today care about getting healthy. While this new trend is great for personal trainers, gym owners, and even just the general public, it also has something to offer developers with a vision. If you can design your developments around a residents' gym, then you could create a more attractive, lucrat

JPC Law are delighted to welcome James Whiteley as a Partner to their Commercial Practice Group.   James’ has over 19 years of experience as a commercial property lawyer where he advises clients on acquisitions and disposals, development schemes, drafting and negotiating options, business lease renewals and dealing with general commercial landlord and tenant matters.   For corporate transactions James also assists with matters containing a high degree of property involvement as well as with business sale

Bishop & Sewell, a leading full service Central London law firm, announces the appointment of Paul Barnes as a Partner in the Residential Property team with immediate effect. Paul is a UK qualified Solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in Residential and Commercial Property including Leasehold Enfranchisement expertise. He is widely experienced having held a number of roles in leading London and regional law firms where he acted for a range of clients from both the UK and overseas with a particular spe

The ARMA ACE Awards celebrate excellence and exceptional achievement in improving the lives of more than one million leaseholders across the country.   They are free to enter and are open to ARMA Members, Associates and Partners. There are also two categories for external suppliers to ARMA Members – firms who supply excellent products and services to ARMA Members.   With 19 categories in total there really is something for everyone. Check out all the categories here.   For full details and to enter please

The Upper Tribunal has handed tenants an important victory concerning ‘common parts’ including roof spaces and airspace leases in leasehold enfranchisement.  The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has held that a lease of the airspace above, and the subsoil below a leasehold block of flats must be classed as "common parts" of the building when deciding if they were to be acquired, in a decision that could potentially have a profound impact on the property sector.   For the full reference see LM Homes (a

GuestReady, a global short-term rental company, has acquired BnbLord, the largest Airbnb management company in France, to form the GuestReady Group. The combined company will be the leading provider in Europe managing more than 2,000 properties with a wide range of services to property owners, agents, and developers. GuestReady has been setting an unprecedented pace in the property management industry quickly rising to the top in the complex area of short-term rental management. Since its launch in the su

Issue 100 of News on the Block has now been published. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the contributors, advertisers and sponsors who have supported News on the Block over the last 100 issues.  This issues includes some of the following articles:  UK property deals hit by Brexit uncertainty 'Supercharged' annual seminar How to prevent property fraud What's next for leasehold reform?  Block management gender pay gap narrows Do you need terrorism insurance cover?  5 ways to im