It’s all change in the genteel world of country-home sales.

Only weeks after Sherry FitzGerald poached David Ashmore from Savills’ country houses division and made him director of its countrywide division, Savills has announced the appointment of Loman Dempsey (above) as head of its country houses, farms and regional development land department.

Loman has over 25 years’ experience in the business and joins Savills from the Meath firm Raymond Potterton Co, which he cofounded in 1991.

In his long and varied career, he has also worked for UK firm Winkworth in the late 1980s and Gunne Estates in the early 1990s.

Meanwhile, another Savills former employee is on the move. King Associates has just announced the hiring of Mary Burke, who joins the firm as an associate after more than 12 years working with Savills.

She specialised in sales in her native area of Clontarf and the Raheny, Sutton and Howth areas.