Business & People

London-based Chartered Surveyors Murray Birrell has appointed an historic buildings guru as Associate Director to bump the firm's listed building expertise.

City-based agency Hatton Real Estate has strengthened its resi offering with the appointment of Bradley Sharp from Greene & Co. Bradley Sharp

A short term increase in trading volumes at the top end, attributed to the recent stamp duty changes, made it a December to remember for Savills.

John D Wood & Co has teamed up with Truro-based 17-branch estate agency Country & Waterside to expand its reach in the South West.

Insurance titan Hiscox has reached a preliminary agreement with Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings to acquire Synergy Insurance Services (UK) and R&Q Marine Services Limited.

Savills has announced a tie-up with top-end Parisian firm Agence Varenne.

Super-prime developer Finchatton has promoted Jiin Kim-Inoue to the role of Design Director, responsible for "leading and implementing the firm's global design strategy". Jiin Kim-Inoue

Wriglesworth, one of the capital's top property PR agencies, has been snapped up by global consultancy Instinctif Partners to create a 90-strong UK team. Instinctif Partners & Wriglesworth

Chestertons has amped up its Middle Eastern presence with a joint venture with Saudi-based MEDAD Valuation International (part of the Najeeb Abdullatif Alissa Holding Company).

Home Counties estate agent Waterfords has moved into a new "flagship office" in Fleet after out-growing its old space.

Make, the architecture practice behind projects including St James's Market and Rathbone Square, has appointed its first female board member.

Another week, another new acquisition by Carter Jonas, this time in the shape of two Cambridge-based property firms.