We look at who’s changing jobs in the new homes industry.
Steve Coleby, Lovell
Steve Coleby has taken up his new role as managing director of partnership homes developer Lovell. Coleby joins Lovell, which is the partnership homes division of Morgan Sindall Group, from Laing O’Rourke. Former Lovell managing director Jonathan Goring has moved to the position of partnerships director for Morgan Sindall Group.
Coleby brings to Lovell over 24 years of experience at Laing O’Rourke, where he started as a trainee. He spent time as managing director of UK infrastructure and then went on to become the managing director of UK construction, later becoming the commercial director for Europe and Middle East.
Commenting on the appointment, John Morgan, chief executive of Morgan Sindall Group plc, says: “I am excited to welcome Steve Coleby to the team at Lovell and the Group. Steve brings with him some fantastic experience including his knowledge in both building and infrastructure.”
Multiple appointments, Bloor Homes
Bloor Homes South Midlands has expanded its sales team with the appointment of four new trainee sales advisors. Hanisha Kavia, James Badger, Lyndsey Macauley and Matthew Swann will support Bloor developments across the region. With broad experience in customer-facing roles, the four trainees bring the sales team to 29, the highest number the region has ever had, reflecting the launch of three new developments over the last four months with a further two launches planned before the end of the year.
“As one of the largest family-run housebuilders in the UK people really do sit at the heart of our success,” comments regional managing director Richard Sarraff. “We always look to recruit talented, dedicated and passionate individuals but our commitment goes much further; it is about ensuring each team member has a clear path for progression and always feels valued so that we can retain both them and their expertise within the business.”
As trainee sales advisors, Kavia, Badger, Macauley and Swann will undergo an intensive training programme, including lead management, customer service and sales techniques.
Andy Patmore, Gleeson Homes
Gleeson Homes and Regeneration has appointed Andy Patmore to manage its brand new Carlisle office as the company expands its operations into Cumbria. Patmore’s new role as area manager will see him oversee both office- and site-based operations as the housebuilder opens its first new developments in the area. The expansion is part of Gleeson’s ambitious plans to reach 2,000 completions per year within the next five years.
“I’m thrilled to join Gleeson Homes and be part of the team to open new developments across Cumbria,” he says. “This is an exciting period of growth for Gleeson and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Patmore has a wealth of knowledge after 35 years in the housing industry, from production manager at Story Homes to contracts manager at Lovell Partnership. As a division of the MJ Gleeson Group, Gleeson Homes specialises in the development of brownfield sites across northern England into new housing developments.
David Gilling, Redrow
Redrow has appointed a new head of land for its Yorkshire division in Wakefield. David Gilling, who has been with Redrow since January 2016, has been promoted from his previous senior land manager role. A planning and property development graduate of Nottingham Trent University, he cut his land-buying teeth with Barratt Homes in Newcastle before becoming a land manager for Persimmon Homes in York.
“I was drawn to Redrow because of its reputation for building a really good product in some excellent locations. And I’ve even bought a Redrow home myself, which speaks volumes,” he adds. As head of land at Redrow Homes (Yorkshire), Gilling will now lead a team of land buyers and managers primarily focused on acquiring land that has outline consent for development or is on land that has been allocated for housing in draft or adopted local plans.
Warren Thompson, regional chief executive for Redrow, says: “David’s promotion is well deserved. His knowledge, experience and expertise is an asset to the business and he has worked hard to bring several new and exciting sites to the point where we can now develop them.”
Jonathan Miller, Kier Living
Kier Living has appointed Jonathan Miller to spearhead its new Southern region. Based at offices in south Buckinghamshire, Miller will lead Kier’s ongoing expansion into the western Home Counties and Thames Valley, specialising in a range of tenures, for open-market sale, private rental, affordable rent and Shared Ownership. He joins Kier with almost 30 years’ experience in the housebuilding sector, having previously worked in development roles for Lendlease and Taylor Wimpey. During his career he has delivered award-winning schemes in the south-east and brings substantial project management experience to the role.
“I’m delighted to join Kier Living at such an exciting time in its strategic development and to be able to draw on my experience in the sector, and the region, to drive this new division forward,” he says. “Kier believes passionately in building houses that its customers are proud to call home. The focus will be on creating diverse communities and we’ll be building on our extensive experience in the residential sector offering insight and imagination to both customers and partners alike.”
John Anderson, executive director at Kier Living, adds: “Kier Living has grown significantly over the last few years and is fast becoming a leading force in the home building sector. We will be producing well over 2,000 units this year but have ambitions to grow to over 3,500 homes over the next three years. Jonathan joins our team at an exciting time and is well placed to help achieve that ambition.”
Jennifer Wyles, Barratt Homes
Barratt Homes has welcomed a new sales advisor to its sought-after development Bertone Manor in Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire. Jennifer Wyles has been recruited to support an increase in enquiries as well as support existing customers that are settling into their new homes.
“I wanted to work for Barratt Homes because they’re the best of the best and have a fantastic reputation as a quality housebuilder,” she comments. “One of my main responsibilities is to build strong relationships with people who move in at the development and make sure that they’re settling in well. It’s important to remember they’re buying a home not just a house and it’s such a privilege to be a part of their moving process.”
John Dillon, managing director at Barratt Homes South Midlands, adds: “Buying a home is an important step in anyone’s life and we work hard to make the whole process easy, enjoyable, straightforward and accessible. Jennifer is now on hand at Bertone Manor to assist our customers in any way she can and has brought her own skills and knowledge to the table. From the early build stages all of our sales advisers are there to offer support and build relationships with our homeowners that continue long after they’ve moved in.”
Rob Bellamy, David Wilson Homes
A new technical director has been appointed at David Wilson Homes South Midlands. Rob Bellamy will now be leading the technical department at the division’s head office, which is based in Northampton. Bellamy has spent his entire working life in the homebuilding industry and most recently worked for the developer’s sister company Barratt Homes Northampton as a technical manager.
“The housebuilding industry has always appealed to me and with more than 30 years of experience under my belt I was thrilled to take on this new role,” he says. “I am enjoying the challenge and this is a great opportunity to expand on my currently knowledge and also share my experience with the team around me. The best part about working in the industry is being able to watch a project grow from start to finish, the end result and sense of achievement is always very satisfying.”
Natasha Baring, Lovell Homes
Developer Lovell Homes has strengthened its expanding East Anglia sales team with the appointment of Natasha Baring as field sales manager, a role which helps manage the sales and marketing of a range of current developments across the region. She joins the Norwich office from her previous job at estate agent William H Brown, where she managed the company’s new homes business in Norfolk and parts of Suffolk. Her career also includes eight years as area sales manager with The Royal Bank of Scotland, where she led a team of mortgage consultants.
“I’ve always been impressed with the quality of the homes built by Lovell,” says Natasha. “The care and pride taken during their construction is clear from the high standard of workmanship and quality materials used. I’m also struck by the company’s use of innovative construction materials and techniques.”
Lovell regional managing director Simon Medler adds: “Natasha’s new homes experience and local expertise make her an extremely valued addition to our sales team. She will be closely involved as we continue to consolidate our position as a developer of some of the region’s most exciting new-build homes for purchasers on all rungs of the housing ladder.”
Claire Gibbins, Bewley Homes
Claire Gibbins has been appointed head of sales by developer Bewley Homes and brings with her over 13 years of experience in the property industry, with previous role including the title of sales director at Martin Grant Homes and Linden Homes. In her new job, she will oversee the management of all the sales teams with the aim of increasing sales volumes and achieve targets.
She says: “It is a very exciting time to be joining Bewley Homes and I am really looking forward to embracing the challenges of my new role. Bewley has seen impressive growth over recent years and has worked hard to build a brand which is synonymous with producing high-quality, carefully crafted properties, as well as a reputation for really caring about their customers. I am looking forward to building upon this current success and continuing to drive the business forward.”
Of the new appointment, managing director of Bewley Homes Andrew Brooks comments: “Claire is a focused and driven individual with an impressive and proven track record. I am delighted to welcome her to Bewley Homes and am certain she will make a great contribution to our growing business.”
Martin Walton, Acorn Blue
Acorn Property Group has appointed a new senior estimator in Martin Walton, as the company’s direct construction division, AH Construction Solutions Ltd (AHCSL), continues to expand. Walton has joined the Group’s Devon and Cornwall regional office, Acorn Blue, to support the business in securing further projects across the region, with a growing portfolio of new residential projects lined up. He brings with him over 40 years of industry experience, with past senior roles in estimating and business development including those at Interserve and Midas Construction. Residential is just one of the sectors he has worked in, with additional time spent in education, health and commercial projects.
“I am delighted to join the Acorn team at such an exciting time for the business,” comments Walton. “Acorn is renowned for their high-quality, design-led developments and I look forward to working with the team and contributing to their continued success.”
David Brunton, construction director for Acorn Blue and managing director of AHCSL, adds: “Martin is a valuable new addition to our growing team of industry professionals, and his skills and expertise will ensure we stay at the forefront of the market delivering design-led, sustainable schemes that deliver innovation and value for money for our clients.”
Two appointments, POD Management
Estate and block management company POD has brought in two new senior executives from FirstPort: Ryan Collier, who takes the position of operations director and Andrew Froy as director of business development. Collier brings with him an understanding of large and complex buildings from his experience in the build-to-rent sector, and Froy comes with a proven track record establishing loyal relationships across a wide range of portfolios, and overseeing the successful launch of an in-house facilities management company at a previous firm.
David Goldberg, POD’s founder and CEO says: “We’re delighted to have such high-calibre additions to our senior team. We identified a need to modernise and revolutionise the sector and I am extremely encouraged by the response we’re experiencing, particularly in larger developments and the build-to-rent sector. We’re at a very exciting stage and it’s the ideal time to be strengthening our growth by building a team of talented professionals with ambition and a hunger that echo my own.”
Collier comments: “I am totally on board with POD’s vision and goal to enhance the lives of those who live in our buildings and am excited to have the opportunity to apply my experience of working with the country’s major freehold investors, housebuilders and build -to-rent providers to continue growing the business and establish an enviable reputation, built on an innovative approach to management.” Froy adds: “I’m delighted to join David and the rest of the POD team at what is a very exciting time for a relatively new business. I look forward to building a trusted customer base and providing first-class customer service, underpinned by POD’s unique values.”
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