The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Savills reveals new city boss
Property giant Savills has unveiled a change at the top in its Aberdeen office.
Simpson Buglass, who had been at the helm of the firm’s Granite City operation since January 2016, is no longer in charge.
Director Dan Smith has been promoted to head of office and is now working alongside Nick Penny, who heads the firm’s operations across Scotland.
Mr Buglass said yesterday he was still a director, adding: “It’s just a succession planning thing.”
He and Mr Smith joined the company in early 2016 as it was establishing a presence in Aberdeen.
There is now a substantially larger team working in the office at 5 Queen’s Terrace.
Mr Buglass, who was previously a partner in the Granite City office of Graham & Sibbald, said: “I joined Savills just after the firm opened in Aberdeen, and have thoroughly enjoyed establishing and expanding the business to what it is today.
“When I joined there were nine of us and today there are 17 due to our growing client base and expanded service lines.
“It has been a particular pleasure working with so many talented and committed colleagues over the past three years and I look forward to continuing to do so. I have no doubt that Dan will continue to take Savills Aberdeen forward.”
Mr Smith said: “I am very proud and excited to be taking on the role as head of Aberdeen.
“H a v i n g s p e n t almost 15 years working in the Aberdeen property market, I have witnessed highs and lows and believe that we are yet again on the cusp of significant change as our residential and commercial markets continue to show signs of recovery following the oil crash in 2014.
“Our multi-disciplined office, which operates across all commercial, retail, planning, development, rural and residential sectors, is uniquely positioned to advise our clients on the growing opportunities within the region.”
Savills has operations in more than 60 countries. In Scotland, it advises on the full spectrum of commercial, rural and residential property from eight regional offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Brechin, Aberdeen, Dumfries, Fochabers and Ayr.
Mr Penny said: “With over 30 years’ experience working in the Scottish market, there was no one better placed to help establish our first Savills office in Aberdeen than Simpson and I would like to thank him for all his hard work and assistance.
“We now feel the time is right to hand over the reins to Dan as we look to keep growing the successful business that Simpson helped to build.”