BIRMINGHAM, AL-The privately owned commercial mortgage firm hires Scott Kavel as vice president of seniors housing and head of a new office in Duluth, GA, an Atlanta suburb; and Catherine A. H. Bergwall, as an assistant vice president in the Atlanta office.

LONDON-The Government has announced an urgent review of the operations of its urban regeneration agency, English Partnerships, bringing forward a five-yearly review that was not due until 2003.

CLERMONT, FL-Racing the clock, Lake County elected officials have 12 days to make a purchase offer to the Orlando owners of the controversial 1,433-acre Sugarloaf Mountain tract. Gov. Jeb Bush and his Cabinet rule on a disputed development order extension Oct. 30.

HOUSTON-In an eight-month strategy, ML Capital Ventures of West Dundee, IL has bought the second of four planned acquisitions in the Houston market. More than $22 million will be spent on suburban office properties before the year's out.