Andrew Smyth has been appointed head communications at Savills Ireland. Smyth joined Savills as PR manager in 2013 and he is now responsible for the firm's internal and external communications.

Smyth has more than 10 years’ experience in the communications industry, having started with FleishmanHillard, in the heady times of 2006, working with clients in the financial services, construction and telecommunications sector. He also spent three years in the public affairs department of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, John McCartney, director of research at Savills, has been appointed to the editorial board of academic publication The Journal of Property Research.

The international journal, which is edited by Prof Bryan MacGregor of the University of Aberdeen, examines the dynamics of the property market and has published articles on land development, property investment,finance, development models and economic forecasts.

John McCartney joined Savills as director of research in 2013.

Previously, he headed up the research division at Lisney, having come from the stats division of the Central Statistics Office.