Michael (Mike) Bevens joined the Aston Group senior leadership team in July as the new Head of Operations. Mike was formerly Operations Manager at TSG Building Services. Mike has a strong background in building services operations and contracts management with social housing and Local Authorities. In his new role overseeing the Aston Group operational performance, he will be working closely with the team to continue the successes and seek ways to continually improve delivery. Mike comments: “What has impressed me most since joining Aston Group is the commitment, expertise, and dedication of the people across the business. I’m excited to build strong relationships with colleagues, customers, and partners as we continue to enhance our services and support the company’s ambitious growth plans.” This appointment adds to the recruitment of Michael Hutchison, the new Aston Group Head of Commercial, who joined from a Commercial Manager role at Bell in May. With an extensive background in commercial management and quantity surveying, Michael brings over 15 years’ experience across social housing, property services, commercial and public sector. He has a proven track record of leading the growth and commercial performance of £multi-million operations, with expertise spanning financial governance, reporting, risk management and team development across planned maintenance, decarbonisation, fire protection and responsive repairs. Michael shares: “Being part of a people-centric organisation is what drew me to Aston, as I believe this is among the most important attributes for a business to have. I appreciate where the business has come from and am eager to see where we will take it next.” Commenting on the new hires, Chris Masters, Managing Director of Aston Group adds: “Mike and Michael align with the Aston Group focus on operational excellence and join us at a time when we are seeking to further expand the business and build on our incredible success over the last financial year. They both have strong, relevant experience they can bring to our projects, and I look forward to working with them as new members of our senior leadership team.” For further information visit https://astongroup.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading representative body for the conveyancing industry, has today announced that Non-Executive Chair, Nicky Heathcote, will step down from her role as she nears the end of her second term leading the Association. Nicky will remain in post while the Board appoints her successor, ensuring an orderly transition and continuity across the Association’s ongoing work on behalf of its members and the wider conveyancing profession. During her tenure, Nicky has led a number of initiatives designed to strengthen the Association and ensure it continues to represent the interests of conveyancing professionals across the UK. This has included implementing a new governance framework, developing a member-focused strategy that places members at the heart of the Association’s work, encouraging firms of all sizes to join the CA to bring the whole Conveyancing community together as one voice and ensuring members’ views have been represented throughout an unprecedented number of Government consultations and industry initiatives focused on improving the home buying and selling process. Following the appointment of her successor, Nicky will continue to play an active role across the property sector as Chair of the PCCB Compliance Committee and as a member of the Women in Conveyancing Committee. The Association also confirmed that Treasurer and one of the original founders of the CA, David Hodgson is stepping down from the Board. The process of appointing successors to both Board positions is now underway. Nicky Heathcote, Non-Executive Chair of the Conveyancing Association, said: “Chairing the Conveyancing Association has given me the opportunity to work alongside our members and organisations across the wider property industry, all with a shared ambition to improve the home buying and selling process. During that time, we have strengthened the Association’s governance, developed a strategy that puts members at the heart of everything we do and ensured the profession has had a strong voice across Government consultations and industry reform. “It has been an honour to represent conveyancers and I am proud to have been part of such a collaborative community. While I will be stepping down as Chair, I remain fully committed to the sector through my wider industry roles and look forward to continuing to support the Association during the transition to a new Chair.” Eddie Goldsmith, on behalf of the Conveyancing Association Board, said: “The Board would like to thank Nicky for the leadership, commitment and direction she has provided to the Association. Under her tenure, the CA has strengthened its governance and continued to ensure the views of conveyancing professionals are represented across Government, industry and regulatory discussions. “Nicky has played an important role in strengthening collaboration across the property industry, helping ensure the CA continues to be at the centre of issues affecting conveyancers, consumers and the wider housing market. “We would also like to thank David Hodgson for his outstanding contribution as Treasurer, managing the CA not for profit books and his wider contribution during his 25 years with the Association. He has done an incredible job. The process of appointing their successors is now underway.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Savills has strengthened its prime central London residential operations by bringing together several of its key sales and lettings teams under one roof, reinforcing collaboration across some of the capital’s most prestigious property markets. The property consultancy has relocated its Knightsbridge residential sales and lettings teams to its flagship office at 139 Sloane Street, creating a central hub for its prime residential business covering Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Mayfair. The move forms part of a wider operational consolidation strategy designed to enhance collaboration between specialist teams while providing clients with access to a broader range of expertise from a single location. Sloane Street, Savills’ largest and longest-established residential office in central London, now brings together residential sales, lettings and specialist advisory services within one of the capital’s most sought-after property districts. While the Knightsbridge lettings team will continue to operate under its existing brand and retain responsibility for the same geographical area, its relocation will allow closer day-to-day collaboration with colleagues across the wider Prime Central London business. The office also accommodates Savills’ London Private Office and Super Prime Lettings team, creating a comprehensive residential property hub serving domestic and international buyers, investors, landlords and tenants across London’s luxury housing market. For the residential property sector, the consolidation reflects an increasing focus on integrated client services, where sales, lettings and specialist advisory teams work more closely together to meet the evolving needs of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors operating within Prime Central London. Richard Gutteridge, Head of Prime Central London and Head of the Sloane Street office, said: “We are delighted to be bringing everyone together under one roof. Having everyone back home at Sloane Street marks an exciting new chapter for the business, and increased collaboration will enable us to continue delivering the market-leading service our clients expect. With the Private Office and Super Prime Lettings team on hand, there will be even closer alignment across the whole of Prime Central London.” Georgina Bartlett, Head of Sloane Street Lettings, added: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming our colleagues to Sloane Street. Our personal approach and commitment to clients are second to none, and bringing our teams together will further strengthen communication, collaboration and the service we provide. This move creates an exceptional platform from which to support clients across some of London’s most sought-after residential markets.” The consolidation marks another step in Savills’ long-term investment in its Prime Central London operations, positioning its flagship Sloane Street office as a key destination for residential sales, lettings and advisory services while strengthening the firm’s presence across the capital’s luxury property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

STARK Building Materials UK has appointed Jan Green as Chief Commercial Officer, strengthening its senior leadership team as the business continues to develop its commercial strategy and industry partnerships. Jan brings more than 12 years’ experience in the building materials and distribution sector, having held senior commercial roles with other leading merchants. She has extensive expertise in developing supplier relationships, identifying opportunities for growth, and creating greater value for customers and commercial partners. In her new role, Jan will focus on strengthening STARK UK’s partnerships with suppliers and ensuring they have the support, insight and visibility needed to succeed in an evolving and challenging market. She will also work across STARK UK and its brands to help make the business the go-to merchant for products and materials, connecting strong supplier partnerships with the changing needs of customers. Jan’s appointment will build on STARK UK’s customer-first approach and support its ambition to be the UK’s number one building and materials distributor and partner of choice. Jan said: “I’m thrilled to be stepping into the role of Chief Commercial Officer for STARK Building Materials UK. The business has strong foundations and trusted relationships with customers and suppliers, giving us an exciting platform from which to grow. “I’m looking forward to working with colleagues and partners across the industry to strengthen those relationships, create new opportunities and make a positive difference to our business, our customers and the wider sector.” Commenting on her appointment, Ian Goldsmith, Chief Strategy Officer at STARK UK, said: “Jan’s expertise in the building and materials distribution sector combined with her passion for developing strong and lasting supplier and customer relationships is a huge asset to STARK UK. I have no doubt she will make a meaningful impact on both our business and the industry as a whole.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals