Simon Thomas has been appointed to head the professional consultancy department of Cotswold property agents Butler Sherborn, writes David Duffy.

Mr Thomas, 35, a former Army captain and manager of the Jockey Club in Kenya, has joined the firm from the Ipswich office of Bidwells. He won a number of top prizes at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.

He will be assisted by Christopher Poole. Richard Anstis remains as a consultant to the department and will run the newly-opened Oxford office.