We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Ben Jobson, Cavanna Homes
Cavanna Homes has announced the appointment of Ben Jobson as its new director of development.
He joins from the Vistry Group where he was regional operations director. Prior to that he has worked at Persimmon Homes, social housing provider Devon and Cornwall Housing (now known as LiveWest), and Barratt Homes.
Jobson said: “We’ve got some brilliantly talented people who are excellent at what they do – and I want to play my part in helping the business and the people to succeed. As a respected SME in the West Country, Cavanna Homes is very well placed to move quickly to respond to opportunities and provide appropriate housing developments where they are needed:”
Paul Moran, group managing director of Cavanna Homes, said of the appointment: “I have worked with Ben at both Barratt Homes and Vistry Group and know he will bring his creativity and outstanding people skills to the role.”
Steve Lapthorne, Allison Homes
Allison Homes has welcomed Steve Lapthorne as the new finance director to its East region, based at the company’s Peterborough head office.
He joins with years of experience gained from working in fast-paced, high-growth businesses across multiple industries, from textiles to IT, before landing in the built environment sector. Over the last decade, he has spent time at Keepmoat and McCarthy Stone in finance director roles.
Lapthorne said: “I was attracted to join Allison Homes East due to the strong, experienced team that has been built here. The company’s financial backing and ambitious plans were also particularly attractive to me, and I’m keen to utilise my skills and collaborate with our people and partners to ensure those plans are accomplished.”
Adam Knight, MD at Allison Homes East, said: “Steve has joined our team at a very exciting time for the business. With Steve’s expertise, I’m confident we will achieve our goals and continue to establish Allison Homes East as the housebuilder of choice.”
Michael Gooch, Mac Mic Group
Mac Mic Group has announced that Michael Gooch has been promoted to regional head of planning – South West.
Since joining Mac Mic Group in June 2021 as strategic land manager – South West, he has played a key role in progressing several complex sites, including Chard and Mitton, securing new opportunities, and achieving recent planning successes with draft allocations in Backwell and Locking/Elborough in North Somerset.
Andrew Mickel, director at Mac Mic Group, said: “Michael’s promotion reflects the trust and confidence we have in him. He brings a calm, considered approach to planning, and his work speaks for itself. His contribution over the past few years has been significant, and I’m confident he’ll continue to make a strong impact in this new role.”
Dane Brown, Persimmon Homes
Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon has appointed a new contracts manager.
Dane Brown joins after six years with Vistry, where he was a site manager. He started in the industry as a builder in Stoke-on-Trent before joining the army, serving for 11 years. He went on to work as an assistant site manager for Bovis and a section manager for Wates.
Commenting on his appointment, Brown said: “I came to Persimmon for a new challenge, something that I relish. I love the team environment and atmosphere around the business, which matters a lot to me having moved here from another part of the country. This new role is a great opportunity at an exciting business with ambitious plans and I look forward to growing within the business.”
Regional MD Andy Hill said of Brown: “He brings a wealth of experience to the business which I know we will value greatly as he gets on with his new responsibilities.”
Darren Pace, TALO
Offsite housing specialist TALO has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Darren Pace as its new head of operations.
Pace brings with him around 30 years of experience, having worked in both timber-framed construction and MMC for a number of industry leaders. Most recently, he led the construction of luxury homes in the Cotswolds for a global developer, which used timber offsite technology.
Bengt Magnussen, commercial director at TALO, commented: “Darren’s deep operational knowledge of all types of housing delivery, together with his passion for improving outcomes, is exactly what we need to help scale TALO’s impact.”
Pace remarked: “I am excited to help our clients deliver better homes, more quickly – ultra-low energy homes that exceed Passivhaus standards, and that aren’t handed over with snag lists. I also feel passionately about TALO’s wider vision to eradicate fuel poverty.”
Daniel Collis, LRG
LRG (formerly Leaders Romans Group) has promoted Daniel Collis to managing director, sales, to oversee a network of over 60 offices of the Chancellors, Gibbs Gillespie, and Portico brands.
He was previously sales director at Gibbs Gillespie and brings with him two decades of experience within LRG. He began his career as a sales negotiator at Romans in 2005.
Kevin Shaw, national sales managing director at LRG, commented: “I am delighted to see Dan take this next step in his career. His leadership, integrity, and drive make him ideally suited to the managing director role. Dan is both a high performer, a pleasure to work with and a natural team-builder. His promotion reflects our continued investment in developing talent from within.”
Collis added: “Having grown with the business for nearly 20 years, I’m proud to take on this new challenge at such a pivotal time in LRG’s journey.”
Ellie White, Sigma Homes
Sigma Homes has appointed Ellie White as senior planning manager.
She is a chartered town planner with 15 years’ experience across the Home Counties and South Coast, and brings a wealth of knowledge in land promotion, planning strategy, and stakeholder engagement. She joins from Henry Adams LLP, where she played a pivotal role in the delivery of multiple residential schemes.
Chris East, group land & planning director at Sigma Homes, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Ellie to the Sigma Homes team. This new position underscores our commitment to the growth of Sigma Homes as we invest further to capitalise fully on the opportunities created by the government’s housing growth agenda. Ellie’s appointment strengthens our in-house planning capabilities and reflects our commitment to long-term growth.”
Three appointments, Bidwells
Bidwells has strengthened its project management capability in the north with the appointments of Gary James and Andew Cobbold at Partner level, along with senior project manager, Benjamin Flenley.
All three join from Buro Four, and reunite with David Boles, who leads Bidwells’ northern operations.
James has extensive expertise in managing complex projects across a wide range of sectors, including residential, regeneration, life sciences, manufacturing & cultural heritage.
Cobbold’s notable experience includes New Bailey residential developments for English Cities Fund, the award-winning First Light Pavillion and the SKAO Global Headquarters at Jodrell Bank for the University of Manchester.
Flenley, having recently passed his APC, has excellent experience supporting the delivery of developments in the residential, corporate, higher education and commercial sectors.
David Boles, Bidwells partner and head of project management in the North, said of the recruits: “Their experience, and the fact we’re a proven team together, will be key to developing Bidwells to play a major role in shaping the region’s next phase of growth.”
Stephen Ryan, Pluto Finance
Pluto Finance has appointed Stephen Ryan as lending director for Wales, strengthening its commitment to supporting SME housebuilders and developers in the region.
The move follows a £30million investment from the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) into Pluto’s local impact investment programme, aimed at funding much-needed housing projects across Wales.
Ryan has accumulated nearly 30 years of commercial banking experience and joins from Principality Commercial, where he spent more than eight years helping Welsh residential developers secure funding for housing projects. His career also includes senior roles at Handelsbanken, Santander, and Allied Irish Bank.
Justin Faiz, CEO of Pluto Finance, said: “Stephen’s extensive experience in and strong knowledge of the Welsh developer market make him a valuable addition to our team.”
Ryan added: “I look forward to working with the team to help deliver much-needed funding solutions that will drive growth and regeneration in the region.”
Two appointments, MJ Gleeson
MJ Gleeson has announced that it has appointed interim chair Fiona Goldsmith (pictured) as chair and Nicola Bruce as senior independent director, both with immediate effect.
Goldsmith was appointed to the board in October 2019, having previously held senior executive finance roles at First Choice Holidays plc and Land Securities Group plc. She was also previously a non-executive director at Walker Greenbank plc and is currently non-executive director and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of KCOM Group Limited.
Goldsmith commented: “I look forward to working with my board colleagues and supporting Graham Prothero, and his executive team, as we deliver on our strategy to significantly grow the business over the medium term.”
Bruce, who joined the board in March 2023, will remain chair of the Remuneration Committee and continue to sit on the Audit and Nomination Committees.
Rosie Tierney, Elan Homes
Rosie has been promoted to senior sales executive by Elan Homes, based at the Tower Gardens development in Darwen, Lancashire.
She has worked in sales for more than 20 years, the last two at Elan Homes, where she has worked on sites across the North West including Balmoral Gardens in Southport and Hazelfields in Poynton.
She said: “I love meeting new people and helping them throughout their home buying journey, from guiding them through floor and site plans, to recommending solicitors and independent financial advisors and helping them make design decisions by showing them the various options and upgrades available”
Elan regional sales and marketing director Marie Morris said: “Rosie’s promotion to senior sales executive is thoroughly deserved. She’s demonstrated that she cares about the customer experience. We’ve received excellent feedback from homeowners about Rosie. Many have commented about her communication in keeping them updated about their new home, answering their queries and how her customer service skills are second to none.”
Zoltan Zolyomi, Wallacea Living
Wallacea Living has appointed Zoltan Zolyomi as general manager of its debut Integrated Retirement Community (IRC) in Marylebone, London, ahead of opening to homeowners early next year.
He joins Wallacea Living following seven years with Audley Villages, where he held multiple general manager roles across the South of England. The earlier part of his 15 years’ experience across retirement living and luxury hospitality was with The Celtic Collection luxury hotels, including a tenure at the renowned Celtic Manor Resort.
Commenting on his appointment, Zolyomi said: “What truly sets Wallacea Living apart is our foundation in wellness and hospitality. We’re building more than just a place to live, we’re creating a dynamic, inclusive community that offers luxury with warmth, and independence with connection.”
He added: “There’s something truly special about building a brand new community from the ground up. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity, and I’m thrilled to be part of shaping something so innovative for retirement living in London.”
Two appointments, Raven Housing Trust
Raven Housing Trust has announced the appointment of two new members to its board as it works towards its target of building 220 new homes of various tenures annually.
Amina Graham will formally take up the position of chair of the board on 18 July 2025, succeeding Caroline Armitage who is stepping down after over eight years of dedicated service. Justin Fanstone will join the board as a non-executive director.
Graham brings over 16 years of leadership in the housing sector and is widely recognised for her achievements in cultural transformation, digital innovation and customer service excellence. Fanstone is a highly experienced digital transformation leader with more than 25 years in senior roles across the global tech sector, most recently with Google Cloud.
Jonathan Higgs, chief executive of Raven Housing Trust, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Amina and Justin to the board at what is a pivotal time for Raven.”
