History

At the time of Alfred's death in 1905, his sons Alfred, Edwin and (Henry) Norman, were already firmly established in partnership. Although located in the City, the practice remained largely agricultural.

Within weeks of war breaking out, Edwin Savill was appointed by the War Office to assess compensation to landowners in Essex and Suffolk for loss of, or damage to, properties. When the War Losses Commission called in two valuers to assist them, one was Edwin Savill.

The firm moved to 51a Lincoln's Inn Fields. Their new office was near enough to the City to enable them to maintain their existing contacts, and had the advantage of being situated among the trustee solicitors who were bringing them new business.

The firm dispersed: junior staff were called up to serve and Norman Savill – along with vital records – went to Wimborne in Dorset. The firm’s architects worked from the Woking office. Norman Savill aside, the partners stayed at the Lincoln’s Inn Field office.

The firm merged with Rees-Reynold and Hunt, rating surveyors and specialist advisors on commercial property investment. This was in line with Alfred’s strategy of expanding into new service lines.

63 Lincoln's Inn Fields became the headquarters. In tune with the times, a raft of new young partners were admitted.

The firm was re-branded Savills. Fifty-eight partners operated from head office and 15 country offices in England and Wales.

Savills plc became a limited company in 1988 and obtained a full listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Savills consolidated its growing presence in Asia by joining forces with First Pacific Davies to become FPD Savills in 1997. Savills acquired a majority shareholding in the Spanish, German and French companies previously trading as Weatherall Green & Smith.

As Savills plc, the company moved into the FTSE 250 London Stock Exchange listing in 2000. Also in that year, Savills acquired First Pacific Co, a 50% stake in Korean Asset Advisors and BHP Korea, Hamilton Osborne King in Ireland, and Hepher Dixon, a specialist planning and regeneration practice. Jeremy Helsby was appointed Group Chief Executive of Savills plc on 7 May 2008.