Agency beefs up new homes division despite sector worries

London estate agency Chestertons has made another senior appointment for its growing New Homes division.

Henry O’Neill, former New Homes Director at Dexters, is joining Chestertons’ North and East London area team.

The move comes as another high profile developer reports plunging figures.

Persimmon, one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, has revealed that in the first half of the year it completed only 4,249 new homes, down from 6,652 in the prior half year; and underlying profits fell 65 per cent.

Earlier this week another developer - Bellway - said that its private reservation rate had fallen 36 per cent during the year.

Chestertons’ new recruit has been a key figure in news homes, starting as sales negotiator for the New Homes and Investments division at Foxtons before a stint at Mount Anvil and Ballymore. He then moved to Dexters, where he worked for almost five years, ending up as New Homes Director for the City, East and South East London.

He comments on his new appointment to Chestertons: “East London is the area with the most land and it continues to offer excellent potential for long-term growth for new builds. With an established presence across Canary Wharf, Bermondsey, Islington and Hackney, I’m excited to join Chestertons’ growing team and help the agency become the first point of call for buyers.”

John Ennis, the agency’s chief executive, adds: “With his vast knowledge of not only the New Homes sector but also of East London, Henry will be a strong addition to our team and continue to allow us to provide clients with the best service possible.”