Housing industry careers news: This week’s Movers & Shakers

We take our weekly look at some of the appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.

Marc Vlessing and Paul Rickard, Pocket Living

Affordable housing developer, Pocket Living, has announced changes to its senior management, with founder and chief executive Marc Vlessing becoming chair and chief financial officer, Paul Rickard, promoted to managing director.

Vlessing, who founded Pocket in 2004 with Paul Harbard, has overseen the development of 1,500 affordable homes in London, will be taking on the new role as chair of the company, while Rickard, who has held senior leadership positions at leading housing associations and has been Pocket’s CFO for the past five years, will now be responsible for leading Pocket Living’s long-term strategy and operational delivery.

Justine Hope, Bellway

Justine Hope has been promoted to site manager at Bellway’s South London Region after holding assistant site manager roles at both the South London and North London divisions.

Justine only began her career in the UK construction industry six years ago after emigrating from Australia, but has been rewarded with promotion just five years later.

Kraig Butler, Strutt & Parker

Strutt & Parker has appointed Kraig Butler as director and head of residential sales in the consultancy’s Gerrards Cross office – marking a significant move following 24 years at Hamptons.

Having previously headed up offices in Maidenhead, Rickmansworth and Amersham, Kraig brings over two decades of experience in the northwest Home Counties to Strutt & Parker. With a track record in opening new offices, defining fresh territories in existing branches and expanding teams, Kraig is well-placed to lead Strutt & Parker’s Gerrards Cross office.

Sam Thompson, Waterline

Waterline, the UK’s largest supplier to the kitchen trade, has expanded its talent pool with the appointment of Sam Thompson to the role of contract designer. Providing valuable support to the distributor’s contract customers, Sam will support its regional sales managers with the design of kitchens, bedrooms and home office layouts.

Sam has a wealth of experience to bring to her new role, having been in the KBB industry for 19 years in a career that has spanned across retail, merchants and manufacturers, working with B2B and B2C clients both in house and area sales.

Katy Blake, Rapleys

Strategic property consultancy, Rapleys, has hired Katy Blake as head of marketing and business development as the partnership looks to capitalise on 24 months of growth success.

Katy brings over 15 years of experience in the industry to the company and joins from Linklaters, where she was responsible for driving the business development and marketing for the Investment Funds and Real Estate practices. Prior to that she spent eight years at property adviser Carter Jonas and six years at GVA.

Chris Coley, Honey

Housebuilder, Honey, has announced the opening of a 5,000 sq ft office in Leeds and the immediate hire of Chris Coley as managing director to deliver its expansion plans in Yorkshire and the Midlands.

The former Avant Homes Central managing director will lead two newly created operating regions, Honey Yorkshire and Honey Central. Chris was part of the Avant team for almost 19 years where he was a colleague of Honey founder and former Avant Homes CEO, Mark Mitchell.

David Swigciski, Premier Guarantee

New homes warranty and building control provider, Premier Guarantee, has announced the appointment of David Swigciski as the new managing director following the retirement of Jacki Goodman at the end of 2023.

David will lead the development and progress of the company while also focusing on strengthening technical and service capabilities to provide an enhanced customer experience.

Amy Round, Unite Students

Unite Students, the UK\’s largest provider of student accommodation, has announced the appointment of Amy Round as group people director.

Amy has a wealth of experience in leading people and talent teams in high-growth companies, having previously worked at Google, OVO Energy and most recently as Chief People Officer at Vertical Aerospace.