Countrywide Surveying Services has been appointed by HSBC to undertake valuations for its UK brands and businesses, as part of a new agreement that commenced in November.

Countrywide will provide a full range of valuation services to HSBC, the UK’s sixth largest mortgage provider and under the terms of the new agreement, Countrywide will also provide a number of surveying services direct to HSBC customers.

Countrywide Surveying Services is part of Countrywide, the UK’s largest property services Group, providing valuation and panel management services to the mortgage lending community.

Commenting on the appointment, Chris Shaw, Chief Surveyor at Countrywide said;
“Our business and service ethos is focused on maintaining our high quality standards and speed of service, which is underpinned by our innovative tablet PCs, unrivalled UK-wide coverage and industry experience. This approach complements HSBC’s desire to further increase the quality of the service provided to their customers. We look forward to working with HSBC over the coming years.”

Guy Batchelor, Managing Director of Corporate Business at Countrywide, said:
“HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations and winning this contract reaffirms our ability to serve clients both large and small clients. This market calls for experience, financial security, scale and robust process controls plus the ability to deliver a detailed and challenging implementation plan once contracts are awarded.

“Our aim at Countrywide is to find the right solution for each client we serve.  This is proving to be a winning formula with banks, building societies and other lending institutions, and we plan to continue to build on this success in 2011.”

Countrywide Surveying Services has been appointed sole valuation panel manager for Kent Reliance Building Society.

Following a successful tender process, Countrywide will exclusively manage all valuations for Kent Reliance.

Countrywide has a long standing relationship with Kent Reliance, providing valuation support services since 2005. In its new role as valuation panel manager, Countrywide will continue to utilise its unique Tablet PC technology to undertake Kent Reliance valuations throughout the UK.

Countrywide Surveying Services is part of Countrywide, the UK’s largest property services Group and is a leading supplier of valuation and panel management services to the mortgage lending community, employing more than 350 Chartered Surveyors throughout the UK.

Chris Shaw, Chief Surveyor at Countrywide, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as Kent Reliance’s valuation panel manager. This news underlines our commitment to helping lenders that have previously managed this process in-house and are now looking to move their valuation process to an experienced supplier. 

“We are keen to build on our existing relationship with Kent Reliance and to demonstrate the value we offer through our UK-wide network of professional chartered surveyors and unique Tablet technology, which were key factors in securing this new contract.”

Adrian Scott, Head of Lending at Kent Reliance said: “Kent Reliance are pleased to confirm the appointment of Countrywide as valuation panel manager as part of our preparations for 2011. Their experience and expertise will be important to us as we look for opportunities to grow our business next year.”

London Sotheby’s International Realty has hired prime central London specialist Nicole Bisson to launch a residential lettings business across central London.

The new lettings department will complement the bespoke high-end sales and marketing specialists based at Sotheby’s International Realty, working with discerning UK and international clients through Sotheby’s International Realty’s network of over 500 offices in 40 countries around the world.  In developing the business it will also draw on the client base, unique reputation and marketing possibilities arising from it’s connection with the Sotheby’s auction house.

Nicole’s background is in high-end rentals in prime central London, with a particular focus on Belgravia.  She joins Sotheby’s International Realty from Henry & James. Before moving into lettings, Nicole was part of the new business start-up team to launch Foxtons International, selling and marketing international properties to the UK market.

“This is an important and welcome step in our development.  We are delighted someone of Nicole’s experience and ability is coming to build our residential lettings business” said Charlie Smith, Managing Director, United Kingdom I Sotheby’s International Realty. “With such a global footprint, being able to offer additional services that we are seeing an increased demand for is important in developing the service orientated company we wish to build.”

Nicole Bisson said: “International tenants still account for the majority of transactions in prime central London.  International demand has continued to be strong due to business infrastructure, personal and financial safety, physical geography, common business language, transport connections and the perceived weakness of sterling against the dollar and other key currencies.   We are a local office with a global reach and we will be leveraging off a brand renowned throughout the world in offering a first-class service to both landlords and tenants.”

London Sotheby’s International Realty was acquired by Countrywide earlier this year as part of an exclusive 25-year licensing agreement for the UK with Sotheby’s International Realty across the UK and Channel Islands. The Sotheby’s International Realty network has in excess of 500 offices in 40 countries and territories worldwide.