Gary Murphy has joined BNP PRE as head of valuation, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Residential development specialist Natalie Simpson will lead new homes sales and run the Edinburgh residential agency team for Strutt & Parker.

Mr Murphy, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the property market at DTZ, Savills and Knight Frank, has an in-depth knowledge of the loan security market and has provided valuation advice across both commercial and residential sectors. Varied additional experience includes acting as an expert witness in dispute resolutions.

He said: “I am delighted to be heading up BNP PRE valuations and look forward to working with the team to drive the business forward.”

Gary Cameron, head of BNP PRE in Scotland, said: “Gary is one of the most experienced and respected valuation experts in the country with extensive networks across the Scottish real estate and lending markets. He will be a great addition to our team.”

Ms Simpson, who comes from Savills Edinburgh and has more than 20 years’ experience in the Scottish property market, will build on the new homes sales currently offered by Strutt & Parker to cement the firm’s place in the residential development market.

Her role will complement the country house and Edinburgh city agency business already carried out from the firm’s Scottish headquarters on George Street.

She said: “This is an exciting time for the residential development sector, despite political uncertainty, with new homes sales continuing to outperform the wider market.

“I am really looking forward to developing our new homes department and working with the wider and well-established residential team at Strutt & Parker.”

Kevin Maley, head of residential agency for Strutt & Parker in Scotland, said: “We are pleased to further strengthen our Edinburgh team by welcoming Natalie Simpson as a director.

“She brings with her a wealth of experience and I have no doubt she will prove a great boost to our team and to our customers.

“The new directors are key recruits in the ongoing development of the multi-disciplinary Scottish team.”