Heather Smith Commercial, a niche, London-based property agency specialising in business community asset management, may be celebrating its 15-year anniversary, but its founder insists there is "still so much to do". Heather Smith set up HSC after 12 years working as an office agent in the South East and Thames Valley market, three as a Knight Frank partner. Starting with disposals and acquisitions across London and the South East, the firm has grown over the years and now comprising a four-woman team.

Smith tells CoStar News that she only expected to be working for herself for a couple of years initially, before carving out a niche and realising the benefits of running her own business, including increased flexibility as a working parent. Four years ago, Smith expanded the business by hiring Claudia Smith as an associate. Her LinkedIn profile shows she was previously employed in analyst roles at businesses including fashion retailer Superdry. The recruitment of Kezia Miller, who oversees communications and events, and Kathy Vitali, who manages social media and content creation, followed.

Part of the strategy for the future, Smith says, is to build on the firm's work around social value and engagement and measurement, as well as expanding its events offering at business parks, with two annual events already in place at a pair of parks. "We want to be a market leader in the BCAM space, so that everyone feels like if they have a building coming to the market, HSC should automatically be on their team."

International property firm Savills has named Angus Potterton, the former boss of its Ireland division, as its head of France. Potterton succeeds Boris Cappelle, who has left as chairman and chief executive Savills France, having led the business since 2019. Cappelle, who joined the company in 2008, was previously head of the investment team. Potterton led Savills Ireland for 15 years and was most recently CEO of Savills Italy for three years. The firm has said he will work alongside the existing leadership team in France to progress the next step in the growth of the business, which will also see the firm move to new larger offices in the summer of 2024.

Regional housebuilder Thakeham has appointed Alastair Skinner as its first chief investment officer, joining after eight years at family property group Hargreaves. Skinner will support the executive and management teams, with the position helping to "supervise and guide" its growth strategy. He was managing director of Hargreaves Group, overseeing its transition from founder-run to executive management, and was the first non-family member to hold the position. Rob Boughton, chief executive at Thakeham, said in a statement: "This role will assist our strategic vision to delivering a number of projects, that we believe will set the benchmark for sustainable development."

Amanda James, the chief financial officer of high-street fashion stalwart Next, has been named as a non-executive director on the board of British Land. James has been with Next's finance team for 28 years, and has an "extensive background in finance". She was appointed CFO and joined the retailer's board in 2015. James will join the audit committee of British Land when she begins her non-executive director role in July, stepping down from the Next board in the same month. She will retire from Next at the end of September. Tim Score, chair of British Land, said in a statement: "Amanda brings not only deep expertise in finance, but also strong consumer, retail and multi-channel experience."

SHW has named its regional heads for the next five years, with all four beginning their roles next month. Partners Gemma Quinn and Kevin Middle will share the head of London and South London position, after Alex Gale was promoted to senior partner last month. For the Crawley and Gatwick region, Peter Coldbreath will continue in the role of regional head for the next five years. Duncan Marsh is the final regional head appointment, taking the job across the South Coast. Russell Markham, managing partner of SHW, said in a statement: "The next five years in the regional head role will include a greater emphasis on maintaining office environments, promoting team-working and rewarding cross selling across the company."

Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva, has expanded the responsible investment team in its real assets division by appointing Phillipa Grant, Elizabeth Ortiz and Jeremy Ho. Grant joins as director of sustainable investments, while Ortiz has been appointed as an associate, and Jeremy Ho as an analyst. All will report to Edward Dixon, Aviva Investment's head of responsible investment in the real assets unit. Dixon said in a statement: "All three hires bring an enviable level of expertise from across a range of geographies and sectors to address this need and we believe they will materially advance the breadth and depth of our sustainability offering to clients."

Avison Young has recruited Jamie Wallace as an associate director in its Leeds office, who adds more than a decade of experience working in planning at leading UK consultancies. He joins from town planning and development firm DLP, where he spent two years working as an associate director. In that role he was responsible for the delivery of planning consents in the residential, leisure, commercial and education sectors. At Avison Young he will work with colleagues on projects including the redevelopment of Bradford City Village, and the Kirkgate Innovative Neighbourhood Gateway and Old Westgate. Stuart Howie, regional managing director for Leeds at Avison Young UK, said in a statement: "Jamie has already thrown himself into client support and is doing great work."