In June Malcolm Vine retired as Finance Director. He joined Cognatum Estates around the time of the merger in 2008 of the Beechcroft Trust and English Courtyard Association. His retirement has resulted in a few management changes with Nicky Sercombe joining the board as Director of Resources, taking over his responsibilities for finance and other head office support functions, and Aysha Hussain being appointed to a new position of Chief Finance Officer.

Nicky joined the English Courtyard Association in 2005 as a regional manager, becoming an associate of the Institute of Residential Property Managers. Since the creation of Cognatum Estates, she has managed all the Beechcroft Trust estates and latterly become more involved in head office functions, supporting estate managers and improving services. She lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two daughters.