Strutt & Pekar strengthens with two new appointments
Strutt & Parker has announced two new appointments, with Shereen Akhtar as senior associate director, and Tom Glenn as associate in its Knightsbridge and Belgravia office in Sloane Street, London.
Having spent 13 years in the industry, Akhtar joins Strutt & Parker after working for two years as an Associate Partner at Carter Jonas, where her primary focus was on driving international business through Christie’s International Real Estate affiliation. Prior to this he spent eight years at UK Sotheby’s International Realty. His career is based on underlying experience in wealth management; Started his career as an analyst at JPMorgan Chase.
Akhtar specializes in the prime and super-prime markets in central London, covering premium development projects, sales in the traditional re-sale market as well as advising on investment portfolios.
Akhtar commented: “We are at a critical point in London where the opportunity exists for international investment into exceptionally valuable prime addresses against a backdrop of global geopolitical uncertainty. The importance of insight and client-focused guidance has never been greater.”
Glenn joins Strutt & Parker from Chesterton’s Knightsbridge & Belgravia office, where he was a senior sales negotiator, having moved into sales after working in Knightsbridge & Belgravia’s lettings team.
Claire Reynolds, Head of UK Sales at Strutt & Parker, said: “At a crucial time in the growth of our business in the prime and super-prime markets, Shereen and Tom are both excellent appointments. Knightsbridge and Belgravia is a key market for Strutt & Parker, and one where our clients will benefit from the depth of Shereen and Tom’s expertise and client-focused approach.
“Shereen has remarkable international contacts spanning the US to the Middle East and Asia, and a deep understanding of their motivations and expectations, while Tom’s data-driven approach is key in unlocking opportunities for both Strutt & Parker and our clients.”
Shereen and Tom are the latest appointments to Strutt & Parker, following Tom Parsons who returned to the firm in Fulham last month. Other recent appointments include Lewis Harrison as head of the National Estate and Farm Agency and Sarah Brown as director in the agency’s national country home department.
The firm also recently announced the build out of its broker team and the introduction of a ‘hybrid’ agency model. New appointments to the broker team over the past few months include James Dipper, Zach Maddison, Minnie Stenrod, Andrew Chambers and Toby Downes, as Strutt & Parker continues its growth ambitions following a significant investment from shareholder BNP Paribas last year.
Lomond appoints new group director
Lomond has appointed James Cossar-Hindle as group people director. He will work with the executive team and regional leaders on organizational structure and staffing as the business continues to expand through growth and acquisitions.
His role will include developing leadership capabilities and supporting recruitment and retention across the group.
Kosar-Hindle has more than 15 years of experience in sectors including financial services, health technology, media and retail. He has previously worked at WPP, John Lewis & Partners, Sainsbury’s and most recently HeliosX.
Claire Wakeford, Lomond’s Chief People Officer, said: “It’s great to welcome James to the team and continue our ambitions here at Lomond.
“This is an exciting time for the company. As we grow, we need to ensure our people strategy is at the heart of it, and James is the right person to join us on this journey.”
Coser-Hindle said: “Lomond is one of the UK’s most ambitious and fastest-growing property groups. I am a people-first leader, and what is most important to me is that Lomond really values its people, ensuring they are at the forefront of every decision.”
RealEstate:UK names Vanessa Hale as founding CEO
Real Estate: The UK has appointed Vanessa Hale, currently with BNP Paribas Real Estate, as its first chief executive. She will take up this role in July.
Hale has over 20 years of experience in the property sector and is currently Head of Research and Strategy at BNP Paribas Real Estate, where she also joins the UK executive team. Early in his career, he worked in office market analysis and corporate vertical strategy in the US.
She has previously chaired the Urban Land Institute UK and has held roles on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Commercial Property Forum and the Property Industry Alliance board.
Real Estate: UK is being formed through the merger of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), the British Property Federation and the Investment Property Forum. The merger is expected to be completed on April 30, 2026, following member approval last year.
The new organization will be initially chaired by Anne Breen, global head of real estate in Aberdeen and current AREF chair, with a board made up of representatives from the three bodies.
Breen said: “With [Hale’s] With her extensive experience and strong industry credibility, she will be a powerful advocate for UK real estate and is ideally placed to lead the new organization as it brings the industry together with a single, authoritative voice. I am confident that his commitment to sustainability, diversity and supporting the next generation of talent will set a strong and progressive direction for the industry.”
Simon Carter, Chairman of the British Property Federation and Chief Executive of British Land, commented: “Vanessa was an exceptional choice to lead Real Estate:UK. Her compelling vision for the organization and experience across all asset classes and leadership of ULI UK will be invaluable as we partner with the Government to unlock more capital for investment in our towns and cities. I wish her every success in this important role.”
Hale said: “We have a huge opportunity to build on the successes of AREF, BPF and IPF to create a new single convener and voice for UK real estate construction and I look forward to working with Anne and the RE:UK board to bring that vision to reality for the benefit of the sector and all our current and future members.”