<h1>Build Your business with the best property & real estate talent</h1>

<p>Find top talent in property and real estate with deverellsmith&rsquo;s permanent recruitment solutions. Our consultants bring unmatched industry expertise.</p>

Permanent recruitment solutions

<p>Discover flexible temporary, interim, and contract talent solutions.</p>

Temporary, interim & contract recruitment

<p>Secure senior real estate talent. Our expert recruiters deliver impactful results for your leadership and company growth.</p>

Executive search

<p>Drive shareholder value and strengthen your employer brand.</p>

Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions

<p>Designed to build entire teams at pace. Tailored solutions for business-critical hiring of 15+ professionals.</p>

Project recruitment

<p>In-depth data and research services to support your hiring strategy with industry insights.</p>

Research benchmarking projects

<h3>What we offer</h3>

<p>Through our consultancy approach, market intelligence, and innovative hiring solutions, we help property and real estate businesses cut costs and drive value. Our active database of 250,000+ professionals ensures you find the right talent to grow your business.</p>

<h3>Why choose us?</h3>

<p>Select each sector page to explore how we can assist you.</p>

<h3>Our specialist recruitment areas</h3>

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<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Client Overview</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">An established investor, developer, and asset manager sought expertise to optimise their recently acquired commercial portfolio in Birmingham. They required a Finance Director with a rare combination of process-driven methodology and commercial acumen.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Challenge</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">This newly created position demanded specific skills to transform inefficiently managed assets into high-performing investments. The regular travel requirement between London and Birmingham significantly narrowed the candidate pool, creating a complex recruitment challenge.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">We developed a tailored strategy recognising the specialised nature of the role and geographical constraints:</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Talent Mapping:</strong> We advised the client that the talent pool would be limited and that securing the right candidate would require swift decision-making and a competitive compensation package. Our dual-location mapping approach targeted qualified professionals in both the London and Birmingham markets.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Consultative Process: </strong>Our senior consultant personally led headhunting efforts, engaging candidates with thorough role briefings to qualify their ability and willingness to accommodate the travel requirements. This consultative approach prevented time investment in candidates who couldn't meet this critical criterion.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Executive Search Framework:</strong> We activated our extensive network and referral channels to identify finance leaders with experience establishing finance functions from scratch. Our thorough screening process focused on candidates with demonstrable success in commercial investment and asset management environments.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Leadership</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our senior consultant, with a deep understanding of financial leadership roles in the property sector, personally led this assignment. Their expertise in identifying candidates with the right cultural fit and technical capabilities ensured that only appropriate candidates progressed through the process.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Results</strong></h2>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Presented a shortlist of 7 highly qualified candidates</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">5 candidates advanced to the interview stage</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">100% of shortlisted candidates met all technical requirements</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Offered varying experience levels and salary expectations to provide client choice</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Successfully placed an experienced Head of Finance with a track record of establishing finance functions</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Key Success Factors</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our comprehensive understanding of both the technical requirements and travel constraints allowed us to overcome a challenging brief. By focusing on quality over quantity and maintaining transparent communication throughout, we delivered a candidate who not only met but exceeded the client's expectations, earning their complete satisfaction with the recruitment outcome.</p>
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How to hire: A Finance Director for a multi-location commercial property role

<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Client Overview</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">One of London's most accomplished buying agencies in the prime central London property market required strategic team expansion. With a reputation for excellence and exclusivity, they rarely expand their team, making each hire a strategic decision critical to maintaining their market-leading position.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Challenge</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The client needed to grow their team by adding an experienced Buying Agent in Prime Central London. The primary challenge was the scarcity of qualified candidates with buying agent experience, as most successful professionals in this niche are well-compensated and established in their roles. Additionally, the risk of counter-offers was significant, as employers typically fight to retain top talent in this specialised field.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">We implemented a multi-faceted approach to address this challenging search:</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Consultative Process:</strong> We worked closely with the client to understand their unique culture and requirements, ensuring we could represent their opportunity accurately to potential candidates.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Talent Mapping:</strong> We conducted a comprehensive mapping of the Prime Central London property market, identifying both obvious and non-obvious talent sources and creating a targeted outreach strategy.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Extensive Network Referrals:</strong> Leveraging our established industry connections, we sourced referrals to professionals who weren't actively seeking new opportunities but might be open to the right proposition.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Leadership</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The search was led by our Associate Director, whose extensive experience in high-end property recruitment and deep understanding of the prime London market provided the expertise necessary for this specialised role.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Results</strong></h2>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Identified and secured a candidate who was not actively looking but was the perfect fit for the client's requirements</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Completed the search within the agreed timeframe despite market challenges</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Secured a high-performing candidate who commanded a higher billing rate than current employees</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">75% interview-to-offer ratio, demonstrating the quality of our shortlist</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Key Success Factors</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The success of this placement hinged on our deep market knowledge and relationship-based approach. By understanding both the client's needs and the candidate's motivations, we were able to facilitate a match that might otherwise never have happened. Our relationship with the client, despite a three-year gap since the last placement, remained strong enough to enable the detailed understanding required for such a specialised hire.</p>

How to hire: A prime central London buying agent in a competitive market

<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Client Overview</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">A prestigious property developer in London, experiencing significant growth, required streamlined communications management. As they expanded their operations, the need for coordinated communications became increasingly apparent, both for internal cohesion and external brand management.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Challenge</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The client had never previously employed a Head of Communications, leaving them without clear direction for their messaging during a critical growth phase. The brief was initially kept broad as the leadership team was uncertain about the exact requirements for this new position. They needed someone who could quickly establish and manage all communication channels while the business underwent rapid expansion.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">We implemented a comprehensive executive search strategy:</p>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Consultative Process</strong>: We worked closely with the client to define the role requirements, refining the brief to identify the skills and experience needed.</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Competitive Market Mapping</strong>: Our team conducted extensive research to identify top communications talent across relevant industries, creating a comprehensive map of potential candidates.</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Executive Search Framework</strong>: We utilised our proven search methodology, approaching qualified professionals directly and conducting thorough preliminary interviews before presenting any candidates.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Leadership</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The search was led by two of our senior recruitment consultants, Tommy and Georgia, who collectively brought extensive experience in executive recruitment within the property and communications sectors. Their understanding of the client's culture and business objectives ensured that technical skills were matched with cultural alignment.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Results</strong></h2>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Presented a diverse shortlist of 7 highly qualified candidates</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">5 candidates progressed to client interviews</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Successfully placed 1 exceptional candidate</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">100% of shortlisted candidates could perform the role</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Offered varied experience levels and salary expectations, providing the client with genuine choice</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Key Success Factors</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our consultative approach transformed a broadly defined need into a focused search, delivering a range of suitable candidates despite the challenging market conditions. By thoroughly understanding the client's growth trajectory, we identified a communications leader who could establish effective channels during their expansion phase, ultimately contributing to the company's continued success. The placement has enabled the client to manage their communications strategically during their period of unprecedented growth.</p>

How to hire: A head of communications for a prestigious property developer

<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Client Overview</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">A luxury property developer specialising in high-end residential developments across London and the South East required a Customer Care Manager to uphold their premium standards as they expanded operations. With a reputation for exceptional quality and customer service, the client needed leadership talent to strengthen their customer care division.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Challenge</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The client was entering a growth phase with several new developments launching simultaneously. They needed to hire the next generation of leadership talent to strengthen their customer care division. The ideal candidate needed to bring fresh perspectives while maintaining the client's commitment to excellence in customer satisfaction and aftercare services.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">We implemented a multi-faceted approach to identify the perfect Customer Care Manager:</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Consultative Process:</strong> We conducted in-depth consultations with the client's leadership team to understand their exact requirements, company culture, and future vision, ensuring complete alignment before commencing the search.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Talent Mapping:</strong> Our team created a comprehensive mapping of the luxury residential customer service landscape, identifying high performers within the property sector and parallel luxury industries with transferable skills.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Extensive Network:</strong> We leveraged our established connections within the high-end property sector to access passive candidates who weren't actively looking but represented the calibre of talent the client needed.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Leadership</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The search was led by our senior consultant, who brings over 15 years of experience in executive recruitment within the luxury property sector. Their deep understanding of the client's values and exceptional candidate assessment skills were instrumental in identifying individuals who could truly elevate the customer care function.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Results</strong></h2>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Presented a shortlist of 5 exceptional candidates within 3 weeks</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">80% shortlist-to-interview conversion rate</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Successfully placed candidate within 6 weeks of project initiation</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">The candidate brought valuable experience from both the property and luxury hospitality sectors</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Introduced innovative aftercare solutions that increased customer satisfaction scores by 22% within the first quarter</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Key Success Factors</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The success of this placement hinged on our thorough understanding of the client's unique position in the luxury property market and our ability to identify candidates with both technical expertise and cultural alignment. The appointed Customer Care Manager has since implemented new systems that have become a benchmark for the wider business, reinforcing the client's position as a leader in customer satisfaction.</p>

How to hire: A customer care manager for a luxury developer

<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Client Overview</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">A leading mortgage brokerage recently acquired by a major property services firm is positioned for significant expansion in the London market with ambitions to grow nationally and internationally. Their strategic vision involves transforming from a compact team of 4 professionals into one of London's largest brokerages with 30 specialised staff over a three-year period.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Challenge</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Following their acquisition, the client faced the substantial task of rapidly scaling their operation while maintaining their reputation for excellence. They needed to attract and secure multiple high-calibre financial services professionals, including mortgage advisors, protection specialists, paraplanners, and mortgage administrators&mdash;all within a competitive talent market where such expertise is in high demand.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our tailored recruitment strategy focused on three key pillars:</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Talent Mapping:</strong> We conducted a comprehensive market analysis to identify qualified professionals across the mortgage and protection advisory landscape, creating a detailed talent pool of potential candidates who aligned with the client's growth ambitions and cultural values.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Consultative Process: </strong>Working closely with the client's leadership team, we developed a deep understanding of their business model, company culture, and specific requirements for each role. This collaborative approach enabled us to accurately represent their employer value proposition to potential candidates.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Extensive Industry Network:</strong> We leveraged our decade-long presence in the financial services sector, activating our established relationships with mortgage advisors, protection specialists, and support professionals to identify candidates who might not be actively seeking new opportunities but would be open to the client's unique growth proposition.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Leadership</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The project was led by our senior consultant, who brings over 8 years of specialised recruitment experience in the residential property market, backed by relevant academic qualifications in real estate. Their expertise spans from entry-level to Director placements, with particular strength in growth-focused initiatives, making them ideally suited to support the client's ambitious expansion plans.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Results</strong></h2>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Successfully placed 10 financial services professionals to date</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Maintained a high shortlist-to-interview conversion rate</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Established an ongoing recruitment pipeline for remaining positions</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Met timeframe requirements despite market constraints</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Delivered candidates who exceeded initial experience requirements</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Key Success Factors</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our partnership with the client demonstrates how strategic recruitment can accelerate business transformation. By combining deep market knowledge, consultative engagement, and targeted talent identification, we've enabled the client to progress confidently toward their goal of becoming a market-leading mortgage brokerage both in London and beyond.</p>

How to hire: A complete mortgage brokerage team for rapid market expansion

<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Client Overview</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">A growing property business in London's Canary Wharf area was seeking strategic expansion. Previously, the director personally handled sales and lettings responsibilities, but business growth necessitated specialised leadership.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Challenge</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The client needed to recruit their first-ever Sales Manager&mdash;a critical senior appointment and significant milestone for the business. The director needed someone capable of managing day-to-day office operations while driving sales performance. The talent pool in Canary Wharf with appropriate expertise was limited, with most qualified professionals already settled in stable positions.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Our Approach</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">We implemented a comprehensive strategy focused on identifying and securing the ideal candidate:</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Talent Mapping:</strong> We conducted extensive mapping of the Canary Wharf property market to identify professionals with the specific expertise required, including those not actively job-seeking but potentially open to the right opportunity.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Consultative Process:</strong> Our team personally interviewed each potential candidate, evaluating both technical capabilities and cultural alignment with the client's values and vision. This thorough vetting ensured only the most suitable professionals reached the client.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Network Activation:</strong> We leveraged our extensive industry connections and referral network to access candidates not visible through traditional recruitment channels, tapping into the hidden job market.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Leadership</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our senior consultant led this executive search, bringing significant experience in property sector recruitment and a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of the Canary Wharf market. Their consultative approach ensured alignment between client expectations and candidate career aspirations.</p>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Results</strong></h2>
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Achieved 100% shortlist-to-interview conversion rate, demonstrating precision in candidate selection</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Successfully placed a candidate who has now completed three months with consistently positive feedback</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Facilitated negotiation of a compensation package commercially viable for both client and candidate</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Enabled the director to focus on strategic business development by confidently delegating operational management</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Key Success Factors</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Our tailored approach to this challenging brief demonstrated the value of deep market knowledge and relationship-based recruitment in accessing hidden talent. The successful placement has accelerated the client's growth trajectory while establishing a foundation for future organisational development.</p>

Build your business with the best property & real estate talent

What we offer...

Permanent recruitment solutions

Temporary, interim & contract recruitment

Executive search

Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions

Project recruitment

Research benchmarking projects

Why choose us?

Our specialist recruitment areas...

Our recent property recruitment success stories...

How to hire: A Finance Director for a multi-location commercial property role

How to hire: A prime central London buying agent in a competitive market

How to hire: A head of communications for a prestigious property developer

How to hire: A customer care manager for a luxury developer

How to hire: A complete mortgage brokerage team for rapid market expansion

How to hire: A Sales Manger for a leading Estate & Lettings Agent

Contact a property recruitment

expert today.

Build your business with the best property & real estate talent

What we offer...

01Permanent recruitment solutions

Permanent recruitment solutions

02Temporary, interim & contract recruitment

Temporary, interim & contract recruitment

03Executive search

Executive search

04Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions

Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions

05Project recruitment

Project recruitment

06Research benchmarking projects

Research benchmarking projects

Why choose us?

Our specialist recruitment areas...

Our recent property recruitment success stories...

How to hire: A Finance Director for a multi-location commercial property role

How to hire: A prime central London buying agent in a competitive market

How to hire: A head of communications for a prestigious property developer

How to hire: A customer care manager for a luxury developer

How to hire: A complete mortgage brokerage team for rapid market expansion

How to hire: A Sales Manger for a leading Estate & Lettings Agent

Contact a property recruitment

expert today.