People: ERE Property Group; Doubletree by Hilton Sheffield City; Oakwood Property Solicitors; and more

Property sales and investment advisory company, ERE Property, has appointed Amer Chaudhary as its new global sales director.

He will work from the Leeds office and ERE Property’s new headquarters in Dubai, which opened at the start of the year.   

He joins from AQUA Properties/ Developments, where he headed international sales at its Dubai office, managing a team of 40 sales consultants.

Having started his career in financial services and international banking, Chaudhary transitioned into real estate in 2014 at IP Global where he sold UK, other European and Australian property to investors in the Middle East.

With experience in sales, business development, and operations management, he has worked with international developers to sell residential property throughout the world.

Tim Morgan, CEO and co-founder at ERE Property, said: “Having worked both in the UK and UAE, Amer brings a wealth of experience in international property sales as well as an established network in Dubai, which will assist us with our new headquarters.

“His knowledge of the international property market is second to none, and our clients will enjoy working with him.” 

Chaudhary added: “As an outsider looking in, I have witnessed ERE Property’s success to date and look forward to being part of this winning team.

“With our new headquarters opening in Dubai at the start of the year, my aim is to expand our global reach and product offer. It’s an exciting time to be part of ERE Property and I’m motivated by the challenge.”

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James McDevitt has been appointed as the general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield City ahead of the hotel’s opening late this summer.

The project is a franchise agreement between Hilton and Sheffield United Football Club, managed by leaf HOSPITALITY.

McDevitt will lead the team in all aspects of hotel operations, from sales and hotel administration to guest services and satisfaction.

Bringing with him over two decades of experience in hotel management, he has previously held general manager positions with Hotel du Vin Harrogate, Hotel Indigo Manchester and Macdonald Hotels and Resorts.

He also has significant experience in senior positions with Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Guoman Hotels and De Vere Group.

McDevitt said: “There’s a strong history of beautiful things being crafted in Sheffield and in many ways I now have a similar opportunity to do so as we complete the hotel development and build the team at DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield City.

“Sheffield is a truly authentic and inspiring destination packed with sport, culture, green spaces, outdoor activities and a wonderful sense of community.

“I’m looking forward to opening our doors to football fans, leisure and business visitors who are here to enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer.”

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Oakwood Solicitors, a multi-service law firm based in Leeds, has appointed Deborah Myerson as the new director for sister firm, Oakwood Property Solicitors.

With 30 years of experience as a qualified solicitor, she brings a wealth of expertise in property law, particularly in conveyancing, to her new role.

Having spent 26 years specialising in conveyancing, she joins from Raworths LLP in Harrogate, where she served as a lawyer in the residential property team for five years. Prior to that, she held the position of head of property at Morrish Solicitors.

Commenting on her new appointment, she said: “The firm is already doing really well, and for me, the challenge will be to take it to the next level.

“I want Oakwood Property Solicitors to be the first firm potential clients think of when setting out on their house buying or selling journey.”

Managing director of Oakwood Solicitors, Abbigail Keech, added: “We are so pleased to welcome Deborah to Oakwood Property. She will be working with a wonderful group of people and we hope she can take the team to the next level with her detailed experience.”

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Armstrong Watson has strengthened its senior accounting team in Yorkshire with the appointment and promotion of two directors and a company secretarial senior.

The accountancy, business and financial advisory firm has welcomed new accounting director David Jones and company secretarial senior Tim Crawley.

Meanwhile, Sally Jones, who has been with Armstrong Watson for 20 years, starting out as an accounting trainee, has been promoted to the role of accounting director.

The senior team members, who are based at the firm’s Leeds office, will help to continue to develop the accountancy proposition in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire area, offering a range of accountancy and advisory services.

Sally Jones said: “It is a huge personal achievement for my hard work and loyalty to be recognised. I hope I am a role model for our current trainees and the future generation of the firm.

“The accounting proposition in Leeds has gone from strength-to-strength over recent years.

“We have an excellent team, great clients and a really strong pipeline ahead. This will provide opportunities within the team and externally as we continue to grow.”

David Jones joins Armstrong Watson after four years in industry where he held two senior finance positions and prior to that worked in practice for 10 years.

He will work with existing clients and look for new opportunities for Armstrong Watson across the region, focusing on the strategic business advisory service, with a hands-on approach, to help and support local businesses to thrive.

He said: “From my initial conversations, I knew Armstrong Watson was the right choice for my return to practice.

“The firm has a fantastic culture and promotes innovation and I look forward to helping the accounting team grow and evolve the offering we provide to our already fantastic client base.”

Crawley is experienced in setting up thousands of limited companies having worked at York Place for more than 20 years as a Senior Formations Agent.

In his former role he was actively involved in company secretarial matters and now as company secretarial senior for Armstrong Watson, he is responsible for more post-incorporation services, primarily overseeing a project to ensure PSC registers for limited companies are updated.

Morag Miller, accounting partner, said: “It is great to be bringing on board the wealth of accounting and company secretarial experience, from industry as well as practice, that David Jones and Tim Crawley have.

“Alongside Sally Jones’ very well-deserved promotion to director, we will further enhance the exceptional client service we offer all our clients.

“With demonstrable growth within the team and client portfolio, these are exciting times for us all.”