Formerly with DJ Alexander for two decades, Mr Trotter’s latest appointment is in line with the firm’s plans to increase its lettings activity over the next few years.

Rettie & Co. currently oversees more than 2,170 rental properties nationwide.

Mr Trotter said: “There is massive potential for the firm to grow the lettings side of the business, underpinned by Rettie’s unwavering commitment to relationship-driven customer service.

“It has been a big move for me, it is the only other firm I would have joined at this point in my career, and the ethos that Simon Rettie, Neil Cunningham, and the team have built here was a deciding factor.”

Rob Trotter

He added: “Property management companies often fail to deliver a personalised service. By delivering a service centred around a team of dedicated, single point of contact, property managers, we want to be the best in our class, which doesn’t always mean being the biggest.

“We’re seeing strong demand from portfolio landlords who are demanding a more data-driven and proactive approach.”

In his role, Mr Trotter will closely collaborate with commercial director Neil Cunningham, who last year joined Rettie, bringing Foxtons and Knight Frank, as well as Karen Turner, the director of lettings. He will also have the support of the entire lettings team spread across Scotland, and Rettie’s in-house research division, the largest in the Scottish private sector, spearheaded by Dr John Boyle.

Mr Cunningham said: “Lettings is a fast-growing division for us, and Rob adds the kind of high-level experience that will enable us to grow even more quickly, whilst maintaining our personal service where every landlord is given a named contact dedicated to everything from letting the property to maintaining it.

“At Rettie, we continue to invest in our people, strengthening our teams so that we are always aiming for that best-in-class standard in the sector.”

Simon Rettie, Rettie & Co. managing director, added: “I founded Rettie & Co. just over 30 years ago, and now I look forward to the next 30 years when we will continue to serve our customers with the high levels of service that we are known for.

“With this strong team in place, lettings will continue to be at the heart of our strategy for growth.”

Rettie & Co. is set to publish its Summer 2023 Market Briefing on the Scottish lettings market this month, with demand continuing to outstrip supply, particularly in Scotland’s main cities, rent still at historic highs, the average time to let at historic lows, against the backdrop of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and new Scottish Government legislation on the sector.