We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Jason Martin, Wain Homes
Wain Homes Severn Valley has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Jason Martin as commercial director.
Martin brings more than 30 years of housebuilding experience to the company. He joins from Dandara (Wales & West), where he was operations and had previously worked for eight years at Persimmon (Wales), heading up the commercial department.
He said: “This is an exciting opportunity to join an independently owned business with a clear focus on strategic growth through its five-year plan and its commitment to building quality homes whilst developing talented people.”
Nick Moore, managing director at Wain Homes Severn Valley, said: “Attracting talent of Jason’s calibre reflects the ambitions of this region. His proven track record of building strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, and leading high-performing teams, will be a valuable asset for our business.”
Penny Cameron, Vastint UK
Penny Cameron has been appointed as managing director of Vastint UK.
A Chartered Surveyor, she joins with some 30 years’ experience in the development sector, Penny comes to us with an exciting background. and served as head of development at Unibail-Rodamco Westfield in her previous role. Prior to that, she led residential and mixed use projects at Stanhope, Hammerson and Taylor Woodrow Capital Developments in a wide range of developments in Central London and across the UK.
Amongst the projects she has worked on are One Bishopsgate Plaza, Coppermaker Square and Television Centre, White City.
Cameron commented: “I am excited to be joining Vastint UK as managing director. It is a business that strongly reflects the values I have held throughout my career, particularly in its commitment to delivering genuine, lasting value for the places and communities it invests in. The projects Vastint is delivering across the UK are genuinely transformative.”
Nigel Robson, Breck Homes
Breck has appointed Nigel Robson as managing director of the Yorkshire region of Breck Homes, its growing affordable housing arm.
Robson brings to the role over 30 years’ experience in the development industry across the North. He spent nine years in board-level roles at Strata Homes, including senior land director and pre-development director, as well as working for several prominent housebuilders including McInerney Homes. Most recently, he held a range of senior leadership roles at Keepmoat and subsidiary MCI Developments, including regional managing director.
He said: “Breck’s growth since the company launched has been phenomenal and a real testament to the company’s values and the way it operates – with a reputation for consistent, high-quality delivery.
Breck CEO Andy Garnett commented: “Nigel’s appointment is the latest stage of our leadership team’s development. I’ve personally known Nigel for a number of years and he is a true industry expert and leader.”
Katherine Titley, Richborough
Richborough has appointed Katherine Titley as regional director of its South West region, based in the company’s office in Grosvenor Gardens, London.
Most recently, Titley was land director at Gleeson Land, where she led the Southern region and oversaw land opportunities from acquisition and planning through to sale. Prior to that, she was a development director at Berkeley Strategic, again leading the Land team
Titley started her career as a graduate at Welbeck Land, where she was promoted to land manager. She has an MSc in Real Estate from Cass Business School and a BA in Philosophy from King’s College London.
She commented: “I’m very excited to be taking the helm of the South West region. Richborough has an industry-leading approach to strategic land with unparalleled passion and expertise.”
Western Division managing director Jonathan Bloor said of Titley: “She is a major force in our industry, bringing the right experience, leadership, strategic insight, local knowledge and connections to guide our South West region through this key growth phase.”
Nathan Evans, Persimmon Homes
Persimmon Homes East Wales has appointed Nathan Evans as its new commercial director Designate.
He joins the business after eight-and-a-half years with Taylor Wimpey, where he was a commercial manager. Evans entered the industry as a trainee quantity surveyor after securing his degree in the subject, and also has experience working in local government and accountancy.
He said: “I’ve always loved working within the commercial environment, especially that aspect of a dynamic housebuilding industry. I am enjoying my start with Persimmon and cannot wait to my teeth stuck into our projects and deliver a positive and lasting legacy where we build.”
Lee Hawker, managing director of Persimmon Homes East Wales, added: “We’re very happy to welcome Nathan to Persimmon and are delighted he is able to join the team at an exciting time for the business.”
Karl Wiseman, Keepmoat
Keepmoat has announced the appointment of Karl Wiseman as group production director, to oversee its construction, health and safety, commercial, procurement, technical and customer care teams.
Wiseman has more than 20 years of industry experience with a number of senior leadership roles, including construction director, regional managing director and, most recently, deputy regional chairman.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I’m delighted to be joining Keepmoat at such an exciting time for the business. With a strong reputation for building high-quality homes and creating lasting change, I’m looking forward to working with the executive team to deliver the company’s ambitious growth plans.”
Ian Hoad, CEO at Keepmoat, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Karl to the Keepmoat team. His extensive experience in large-scale residential delivery and operational leadership will be invaluable as we strengthen the executive board and drive the business forward.”
Mariusz Tkacz, Allison Homes
Allison Homes Central has appointed Mariusz Tkacz as project director to lead the delivery of the new Quarry Farm development in Stamford, a significant part of the Stamford North Sustainable Urban Extension
Tkacz joins the business with nearly two decades of experience in the housebuilding industry, having held senior technical and engineering roles at a number of developers. As a fully qualified Civil and Structural Engineer, he brings a strong background in technical design, project management and the delivery of large-scale residential schemes.
Tkacz said of his appointment: “I was drawn to Allison Homes because of the people, the culture and the clear ambition for growth. It is an organisation that values quality and one where I can make a positive, long-term impact.”
Adam Knight, MD of Allison Homes Central, said: “Mariusz brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to the business. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Sam Smith, Property Hub Invest
Property Hub Invest has appointed Sam Smith as director of investment and partnerships.
He joins from Dandara Living, where he spent over four years in senior leadership roles, most recently as director of residential management. His 20+ years of residential development industry experience includes senior roles at Hamptons and Get Living.
Smith commented: “I’m excited to work with housebuilders who value discretion, speed and certainty, and to help scale a platform that is already delivering meaningful volume.”
Rob Bence, co-founder and CEO of Property Hub, said: “Sam’s appointment marks an exciting next phase for Property Hub Invest. What sets us apart is credibility. We’re not intermediaries making promises – we facilitated over £100 million in transactions last year alone, and developers know our investors are educated, serious and ready to move. Sam will be instrumental in demonstrating that value to even more housebuilders across the UK.”
Lilly Hein-Hartmann, Muse
Lilly Hein-Hartmann has been named as a new project manager at Muse’s team in the North West of England.
She has a background in architectural design having completed two degrees and several years in place-making architecture firms before switching to project management. She joined from AECOM and prior to that was a project manager for Rider Levitt Bucknall. Hein-Hartmann’s new role will include working with the University of Salford in progressing the next chapter of the £2.5bn Crescent Salford, masterplan.
She said: “Joining Muse is a fantastic opportunity to build on my experience delivering complex, people-focused, places. Muse’s reputation for delivery in the region is second to none, and I’m delighted to join the team to help continue this.”
Stuart Rogers, director of project management – North West at Muse, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lilly to the team. Her background in architecture brings an important skillset as we focus on efficiency, viability and deliverability across our North West projects.”
Hayate Kassou, TECE
TECE has announced that Hayate Kassou was recently appointed as business development manager for Scotland, the North East, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.
Richard Court, UK national sales manager, commented: “It’s an exciting time for TECE, as we continue to expand our nationwide team across the UK and Northern Ireland. Hayate has over a decade of invaluable experience in the bathroom and construction industry, perfectly suited to supporting retail and contract clients. In her new position, Hayate is working closely with our customers to provide tailored expertise, training and help drive continued growth.”
Kassou added: “I am delighted to be part of the TECE team, it’s a pleasure to work with longstanding retailers and introduce our innovative bathroom brand to new clients. I really enjoy delivering product training and showcasing the true versatility of our sanitary, flushing and drainage solutions for every type of project.”
Two appointments, ARL
The Association for Rental Living (ARL) has announced the appointment of new leadership for its North-West Steering Group.
Chloe Sachikonye is senior account executive at Yardi and will serve as the new chair of the North-West Hub. With over a decade of industry experience, she brings expertise across residential operations, account and project management, systems and data analysis, and strategic client relationships, with a particular focus on the North West region. Supporting Sachikonye will be Bex Hetherington, head of operations at Native Communities, who takes on the role of vice chair.
Outgoing chair Dougie Orton-Wade will remain involved with the Hub, along with outgoing vice chair, Peter Grimshaw.
Brendan Geraghty, CEO, the Association for Rental Living, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Chloe and Bex to lead its ongoing work, promoting collaboration and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing the sector in the region.”
James Mohammed, Carter Jonas
Carter Jonas has appointed James Mohammed as a partner within its Planning and Development division as part of its Vision 2030 five-year growth strategy.
Mohammed brings over 18 years’ experience in property and residential development. He joins the company from JLL, where he was head of residential development for Yorkshire and the North East. He will now work alongside John Webster and Daniel Sherwood within the Development North leadership team.
Commenting on his appointment, Mohammed said: “I am delighted to be joining Carter Jonas at a time when the Planning and Development business is evolving and investing in its future. I look forward to working with colleagues in Leeds and across the wider business to support clients, bringing together local insight and the strength of Carter Jonas’s national network.”
Colin Brown, head of Planning and Development, remarked of Mohammed: “His experience across consultancy and agency will undoubtedly be a real asset to our Development North team.”
Two appointments, Savills
Savills has named announced the appointment of two heads of development in the Home Counties.
Sam Kirkaldy (pictured left) is the new head of its South East development team, based across the firm’s Sevenoaks, Guildford and Brighton offices. He has been with Savills for 25 years and has headed up the Sevenoaks development department for the last eight. He succeeds Ian Fowler.
Samantha McDermott, now at Savills for over 13 years, replaces Kirkaldy as head of Guildford development. She specialises in all aspects of residential development within Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and West Sussex.
Patrick Eve, head of UK Regional Development at Savills, added: “With both Sam and Samantha’s collective experience of development land throughout the South East, I am in no doubt that they will ensure the team continues to provide our clients with the excellent service they are used to in their respective new roles.”
Justine Edmonds, LRG
LRG has promoted Justine Edmonds to director of Build to Rent, recognising her role in building the Group’s fast-growing Build to Rent (BTR) division and her track record advising UK and international investors. She was previously head of Build to Rent/Leasing Strategies.
She brings more than two decades of UK property experience to the position. In her time at LRG, Edmonds has worked across development appraisal, design review, market positioning and long-term optimisation. She is also a qualified in interior design and is a member of the British Property Federation (BPF) and RICS.
Edmonds commented: “BTR is maturing quickly. I’m excited to lead the next stage of LRG Living Markets’ growth with our partners across the sector.”
Michael Cook, CEO of LRG, said: “Justine combines deep sector knowledge of what makes BTR assets succeed over the long term. Her expertise is reflected in the strength of our Living Markets growth story.”
David Fisher, Lambert Smith Hampton
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has appointed David Fisher as director within its Living & Capital Markets team.
He joins LSH from OLANBERG Asset Management, where he advised on Living sector investments with a strong focus on acquisitions and funding. His experience spans multiple residential asset classes, including significant involvement in the rapidly evolving co-living sub-sector.
Fisher commented: “I am delighted to be joining LSH’s Living & Capital Markets team at a time of significant growth for both the business and the UK Living sector more broadly. Having spent many years client-side, most notably at LRC Group and co-living brand Vonder, I am looking forward to working closely with clients to deliver clear, strategic advice, supported by LSH’s national platform and the wider Connells Group.”
Simon Wilson, head of Living & Capital Markets at LSH, added: “We are really excited to welcome David to the team. As investor appetite continues to grow, David’s experience will be invaluable in helping clients navigate complexity and unlock value across Living assets.”
