Savills, a rural agency, has reported a new addition to its team in the West Midlands and Cheshire.

Jack Cooper, previously a land agent at Balfours LLP for eight years, has been appointed as an associate in Savills' Telford office to focus mainly on the purchase and sale of farms across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and North Wales.

Mr Cooper, a chartered surveyor with RICS and a fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, will work in collaboration with rural director Rhydian Scurlock-Jones.

Mr Scurlock-Jones, said: "We are delighted to welcome Jack to the farm agency team at this busy time.

"His experience in rural properties, sales and valuation is a huge asset to our clients as are his contacts in and around the West Midlands, Cheshire and North Wales, which will no doubt benefit our existing and future clients."

Increases in the quantity of lowland farmland on the market reveal a continuing growth in activity since post-Brexit lows.

Savills' recent farmland market analysis demonstrates the extent of this upward trend.

A record 24,800 acres of farmland were publicly marketed in Great Britain in the first quarter of 2024, marking the market's first surge beyond 20,000 acres since 2016.

In the West Midlands specifically, in the first quarter of 2024, farmland available for sale rose significantly by 62 per cent compared to the same time last year, increasing from 1,100 acres to 1,800.

Mr Scurlock-Jones said: "In January, we said 2023 represented a step change in farmland supply and forecast the volume would increase further this year.

"Early indications suggest this will be correct."

Mr Cooper has said: "I am delighted to be joining Savills, serving Shropshire and the adjoining counties.

"The company has a longstanding reputation for providing best-in-class service and I’m looking forward to contributing to that.

"We already have some exciting new instructions to launch and anticipate a busy market across the West Midlands and beyond this year."