Savills is celebrating 30 years in business in Oxford.
The Oxford office opened its doors in 1996, with just four members of staff and William Donger at the helm.
The business was predominantly focused on Commercial Management. The team expanded quickly with three divisions established within months of opening - Development, Rural and Residential.
Mark Garmon-Jones was recruited as Savills first graduate. Mark is now a director of Savills UK Investment based in London. Before the end of 1996 Savills acquired James Offen & Partners, bringing Commercial Agency into the business.
By 1998, Savills Oxford had grown to 30 members of staff and moved to its current home at Wytham Court on Botley Road. Miles Tuely became head of office, and the business added Planning to its service offer. David Jackson, now Savills UK head of Planning and sustainability advisory service, Savills Earth, joined as a town planner.
Within a decade of opening, the business had incorporated new service lines in Residential Development Sales, Urban Design, Building Consultancy and Leisure, and was home to 58 staff. Alan Plumb became head of office in 2003. 2004 was a notable year with local surveying firm Smith-Woolley brought into the business, and Architectural Design established.
David Jackson led the office from 2008, and Residential Lettings was established in 2011.
Patrick Eve, now UK head of Regional Development, became head of office in 2013 and oversaw the incorporation of local colleagues from rural property consultancy, Smiths Gore into the Oxford business when it was acquired by Savills in 2015.
In 2018, Richard Binning, now a Savills UK board director, led the Oxford office. Emily Slupek was recruited from Bidwells to head up another new service line in Project Management.
30 years after opening, Savills Oxford is a leading force in the real estate market, with 129 staff across 12 service lines and a wealth of property services.
Earlier this week (Tuesday 6 October), over 200 guests including Savills employees, alumni and longstanding clients and friends joined together to celebrate the 30th anniversary at Oxford North.
Speaking at the event, head of Savills Oxford, Gemma Chandler, said:
"As we celebrate 30 years in business, we at Savills Oxford are incredibly proud of how far we have come.
“What began in 1996 with just four colleagues and one principal client has grown into a multidisciplinary team of 129 professionals, together providing specialist expertise across the property sector and advising on some of our region's most significant projects.
“Yet while our scale and service offer has evolved, our values remain unchanged: building trusted relationships, delivering expert advice and taking a long-term view on behalf of our clients. Our success is down to the people who have built this office over the past three decades and the clients who have placed their confidence in us.
“Looking ahead, Oxford has grown to become one of the most dynamic and innovative cities in the world, and we are excited about our role in helping to shape its future. With the same entrepreneurial spirit that established the office 30 years ago, we look forward to supporting our clients and contributing to the region's success for many years to come."
Professor Lady Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome LT, President, St John’s College, guest of honour, provided a wonderful address, commenting on the success of the College’s partnership with Savills, which began in 1996. She said:
“St John’s College has always taken a long-term view, and for the past 30 years Savills Oxford has been an important partner on that journey. Together, we have navigated change, embraced opportunity and delivered ambitious projects, building a relationship founded on trust, integrity and a shared vision for the future. Oxford North is just one example - but a particularly powerful one - of what can be achieved through a strong and enduring partnership.”