Savills appoints new group chief financial officer
Savills has announced the appointment of Nick Sanderson as group chief financial Officer and as an Executive Director from his joining date, which is expected to be in Spring 2026.
Sanderson is a chartered accountant and from July 2011 was CFO and subsequently chief financial and operating officer of Great Portland Estates plc, the FTSE 250 central London REIT.
Prior to this, Sanderson was a partner and head of real estate corporate finance advisory at Deloitte having previously had ten years of real estate investment banking experience most recently as a managing director at Nomura. He qualified as a chartered accountant at Arthur Andersen in 1998.
Sanderson will take on the role of group CFO from Simon Shaw, who becomes group chief executive officer from 1 January 2026 when current group CEO Mark Ridley retires, as announced in April 2025.
Shaw said: “Nick has an impressive and extensive track record in both the public and private real estate sector and will be a great partner for me and the broader management team as we drive the next stage of the Group’s development.”
Former government advisor to lead new forum driving collaboration across built environment
The University of the Built Environment (BEFA) will be chaired by Mark Farmer, a noted expert on built environment skills challenges, modern methodologies and founder of specialist construction consultancy, Cast.
Farmer was appointed by successive governments to lead major reviews into the sector, ‘Modernise or Die’ (published 2016) and ‘Transforming the Construction Workforce: Review of Industry Training Boards’ (published 2025).
BEFA creates a new forum to unite industry leaders in shaping the future of the field. The employer-led Built Environment Futures Assembly (BEFA) will bring together diverse voices from across industry, government, professional bodies and education to address the sector’s most pressing challenges
Farmer said: “Our sector urgently needs to break down its traditional professional silos and work together in new, more integrated ways to address the changing educational and skills needs of practitioners.
“BEFA provides a much-needed platform for collective leadership, harnessing collaborative thinking that reflects the future of built environment professional practice. I’m excited to be working with partners from all corners of the sector to make this happen.”
Ashley Wheaton, vice chancellor, University of the Built Environment, commented: “The University is delighted to support BEFA to help it amplify specialist voices and share best practice. BEFA’s structure, with industry-led workstreams and active stakeholder participation, ensures activities are demand-led, but also informed by the University’s experience of long-term skills development.”
Lloyds bolsters real estate team
Lloyds has named Joe Mellings as its new head of real estate coverage, as the bank continues to strengthen its commitment to the property sector. Mellings will divide his time between London and Birmingham, reporting into Jess Tomlinson, managing director, Global Head of Real Estate and Housing.
Lloyds says this appointment reflects its commitment to grow its real estate support and deepen client relationships across the sector. Mellings will lead a coverage team of relationship directors across the UK, supported by associates and associate directors, with a focus on delivering tailored financing solutions, expanding client portfolios, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable built environment.
Mellings brings over 15 years of experience in corporate banking, having most recently held senior roles at Barclays across real estate, mid-market, leveraged finance and large-cap corporate segments in both the UK and Ireland.
Jess Tomlinson, managing director, global head of real estate and housing, Lloyds, said: “Joe’s appointment is a really positive moment. His sector expertise and leadership will help us as we evolve our coverage model and deliver more for our clients. We’re committed to continue being a relationship-led business that supports the long-term ambitions of our clients – and Joe will be central to that.”
Mellings added: “The opportunity to lead a talented team and work closely with the experts across Lloyds to deliver innovative, purpose-driven solutions for clients is incredibly exciting. I look forward to helping shape the next chapter of growth and impact across the sector.”
Mellings joins the real estate leadership team alongside Klaus Betz Vais, head of structuring, Sam Shah, head of development, David Clearly, head of housing, Richard Heath, managing director coverage and James Silsby, head of portfolio management.
Read the orginal article: https://propertyindustryeye.com/comings-goings-350/
