ESTATE agent Savills has opened an office in Aberdeen, its chief executive for the UK and Europe has revealed.

Mark Ridley announced the news at the firm's first annual Scottish Property Outlook seminar, which took place in the city.

Five staff have already joined the "multi-service" office in the city's West End and will be joined by specialists from a range of property sectors.

Heading the office is Ewan Berkeley, who has been advising Savills' clients in the area for 34 years. Tom Chetwynd has joined as associate director from Bowlts Chartered Surveyors, while Fiona Gormley has joined as a director from Simpson Marwick.

Mark Fleming, joint head of Savills Scotland, said the office "will enable us to further strengthen our presence in the region."