With Savillsreporting a good recovery in business since the start of the new year the estate agency has just named a new chairman and head of residential sales to chart the future of the firm.

Head of retail Larry Brennan(41) has been appointed chairman in succession to Aidan O'Hoganwho is now busy as a consultant to the firm. Brennan has been with the Molesworth Street company (previously known as Hamilton Osborne King) for the past 20 years and in his new role will have responsibility for business development generally alongside managing director Angus Potterton. Brennan will continue to head up the retail division, still one of the busiest areas alongside valuations and investments.

Ronan O'Driscoll(42), newly appointed head of the residential department, has been working in the new homes division since joining the company in 1988. In that time he has handled the sale of over 50,000 new homes for a range of developers including Park, Shannon Homes, Albany, Manor Park and Castlethorn.

Like all estate agencies, Savills has been trimming back its operations since the peak of the property boom in 2006. Staff numbers at that stage had reached 230 but have since been reduced to 145. About 80 per cent of the company’s turnover comes from its commercial division.