HM Land Registry has confirmed Iain Banfield as its permanent chief executive and chief land registrar. The appointment follows a period where Banfield served as interim chief executive and, since 2019, as the organisation's chief financial officer. He is set to formally take up the new role in September 2026. Prior to his tenure at HM Land Registry, Banfield held senior positions within various government departments, including the Department for International Trade and the former Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Neil Sachdev, non-executive chair of HM Land Registry, highlighted Banfield's extensive experience from both his previous roles and his time as CFO and interim CEO. Sachdev expressed confidence that Banfield is the right leader to guide the organisation through its next phase of transformation, focusing on enhancing customer service, modernising operations, and supporting government objectives related to housing and economic growth. Banfield himself stated his commitment to collaborating with partners across the property sector to improve services and deliver lasting benefits.
Elsewhere in the property sector, Bradley Hall has announced an expansion of its Northumberland office with two senior appointments and a promotion. Lorna White joins as head of lettings for Northumberland, and Jennifer Neil has been appointed Property Executive; both previously worked at GFW. Additionally, Charlotte Jackson has been promoted to Branch Manager, overseeing the Alnwick office after two years with the firm. These strategic moves aim to bolster Bradley Hall's residential lettings, property management, and estate agency services across the region.
Angus Todd, Director at Bradley Hall's Northumberland office, noted the positive impact these appointments are expected to have. He praised White and Neil's extensive local knowledge and experience, which will enable the firm to offer specialised in-house support for landlords and tenants. Todd also commended Charlotte Jackson's promotion, recognising her hard work and dedication in developing a strong reputation as a proactive and knowledgeable estate agent.
In a separate development, Winkworth has appointed Jack Spellman as its new franchise operations lead. In this role, Spellman will be responsible for supporting Winkworth's extensive network of over 100 franchisees across the UK. He joins Winkworth from John Shepherd, part of The Lomond Group, where he served as lettings director for three years. His career also includes experience with family-run estate agencies and LiFE Residential, a subsidiary of Galliard Homes, where he progressed through several positions.