Swiss franc crisis: Swiss go nuts for central London property as “safe haven effect” takes hold January 16, 2015 A fund which invests in central London property has reported an upsurge in the number of Swiss clients making enquiries. The London Central Portfolio (LCP), a residential fund and asset manager, said there had been a jump in the number of enquiries from Swiss-based investors looking to move their money into London real estate in [...]
London property prices: Global firms drive demand for prime flats in the capital – but at a bargain October 19, 2015 Global multinationals are feeling increasingly plucky about the economic outlook and their future assignments, which is helping to drive demand for prime residential accommodation in the world’s gateway cities such as London and Hong Kong. However, Knight Frank’s latest research shows they are becoming more price conscious – with their employees being encouraged to seek [...]
Foxtons share price falls as revenues drop 12 per cent January 27, 2015 The figures Not a good day for Foxtons shareholders. Shares fell 2.4 per cent in early trading as the upmarket estate agent – known for its trendy Minis and even trendier, bar-like offices – has posted fourth quarter results showing revenues fell 12 per cent in the three months to the end of December. That was [...]
Estate agents in late-night stamp duty deal rush after Autumn Statement tax band change December 4, 2014 It was the early hours of the morning in Hong Kong when the phone rang. The person whose phone was ringing grew angry over the caller’s persistence at such an hour, but any frustration probably subsided when the individual ended the night £20,000 better off than they would have been otherwise. The deal [...]
MartinCo bucks General Election uncertainty with 50 per cent surge in half-year profits September 10, 2015 SHARES in MartinCo rallied yesterday after the residential lettings and estate agency posted a 48 per cent jump in half-year sales, boosted by its acquisition of Xperience. The Aim-listed firm, which manages 44,000 properties across 284 offices, has been focused on growing its estate agency business after previously being focussed on lettings. In 2013, MartinCo [...]
City Moves for 21 September 2015 | Who’s switching jobs September 20, 2015 LEGAL & GENERAL PROPERTY Stephen Murden has been appointed residential development manager in Legal & General Investment Management’s real assets division. He joins from CBRE, where he was director of development and project management. Murden has 15 years’ experience in the sector. ICBC STANDARD BANK Raj Kumar has been appointed head of precious metals business [...]
Barratt Developments sees property sales and completions jump in first half January 14, 2015 Sales at residential property company Barratt Developments jumped by 17 per cent in the six months to 31 December, up to £1.68bn from £1.44bn in the first half of the 2014 financial year. Completions also increased, improving from 6,195 to 6,971. Of the total number of completions, 1,149 were in the affordable housing sector, which [...]
City Moves for 07 October 2015 | Who’s switching jobs October 6, 2015 EY The professional services firm has announced the appointment of Nick Parkhouse to lead its new financial services debt advisory team. He joins as an executive director from RBS, where he was a senior director and led a structured finance team focused on specialty finance markets in the UK. Parkhouse has also previously held roles [...]
City Moves for 19 October 2015 | Who’s switching jobs October 18, 2015 BNP PARIBAS Wike Groenenberg has been appointed global head of emerging markets strategy at BNP Paribas Corporate and Institutional Banking. She was previously head of strategy for BlueBay Asset Management’s emerging markets macro fund. Groenenberg has also headed emerging market strategy at Citigroup in London, managing a team of strategists in Europe, South Africa and [...]
London property sales account for almost half of stamp duty revenue August 2, 2015 Almost half of all stamp duty revenue across England and Wales is collected from property sales in London, according to data showing the impact of last year’s rise in rates for the most expensive homes. Research by estate agent Knight Frank shows London accounted for just 13 per cent of all property transactions for the [...]