We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Shane Doherty, Bellway
Following the retirement of Keith Adey, announced in May, Shane Doherty will be taking the reins as Bellway’s chief financial officer CFO) from 2 December 2024.
Until April this year, Doherty was CFO of Cairn Homes for over four years. A chartered account who qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2000, his career includes several other senior finance posts including CFO at Morgan McKinley and European finance director at Flutter Entertainment (formerly Paddy Power Betfair).
Of Doherty’s appointment, Bellway’s chair John Tutte said: “Shane is a senior finance executive with extensive leadership and board experience. We are delighted that he has agreed to join the group.”
Doherty commented: “Bellway is recognised as a leading UK housebuilder with an excellent track record of delivering both strong shareholder returns and high‐quality, sustainable homes. I look forward to working with the Bellway team in executing its long-term volume growth plans.”
Multiple appointments, Bancon Group
As part of its reshaping of its leadership structure, Bancon Group has announced several promotions and new appointments.
Bob McAlpine has been appointed executive chairman, while Andrew Tweedie takes on the newly created role of chief financial officer.
There are two internal promotions, with Jim Campbell (pictured centre) named construction director for Bancon Homes and Bancon Construction, and Donna Fraser (picture left) becoming HR director for Bancon Group HR director. Together, they total over years with the business.
Bancon Homes’ new sales director is Tanya Fowlie (pictured right), who brings extensive experience from previous senior roles with a number of housebuilders. She said: “It’s an exciting time to join the Group as we prepare to celebrate 50 years in business in 2025.”
Jamie Tosh will continue as managing director of Bancon Homes & Construction, and David Crawford will remain managing director of Deeside Timberframe.
Rocco Archidiacono, FirstPort Group
Residential property management services provider The FirstPort Group has appointed Rocco Archidiacono as its new head of business development to lead the Group’s new business services and bolster client partnerships.
With over 20 years’ experience in residential real estate, his previous role was at Hamptons, playing a key role in aligning the company’s residential and commercial arms.
Commenting on his appointment, Archidiacono said: “This is an exciting time to be in property management, and I’m looking forward to being part of this journey with The FirstPort Group. I believe my experience across the different aspects of the property sector will bring a fresh perspective and enable us to develop a more integrated approach for our clients.”
Martin King, managing director at The FirstPort Group, said: “Rocco’s ability to build strong relationships with our clients and drive growth will be invaluable.”
Robert Wilkinson, Sempra Homes
Essex-based Sempra Homes has announced the appointment of Robert Wilkinson as non-executive director, bringing with him a wealth of strategic experience and industry expertise with previous roles as managing director for both Countryside Properties and, more recently, at Stonebond Properties.
With a background in banking and finance, Wilkinson joined Countryside in 2012 as a senior development manager and was promoted to managing director in 2017, overseeing major developments including Beam Park in Rainham.
He commented: “Joining the Sempra Homes board is an exciting opportunity for me to apply my commercial and community driven approach to a company that is truly making a difference. I look forward to contributing to the company’s vision and building strong partnerships within the housing sector.”
Melanie Keys, services manager at Sempra Homes, said of Wilkinson: “His extensive background in the industry, combined with his community-focused approach, will be instrumental in shaping the future of our business and our growth strategy.”
Sophie Schofield, Wain Homes
Wain Homes Severn Valley has strengthened its team with the appointment of sales director Sophie Schofield.
She joins the Bristol-based housebuilder from her previous role as sales director at St Modwen Homes in the south of England.
Schofield said: “Wain Homes was always on my radar as an independently owned, fast-growing company whose vision and values mirror my own ambitions. Recent planning approvals will see us starting work on more than 600 new homes in the coming weeks and the opportunity to join the business at the start of this period of growth is an exciting challenge.”
Carl Haley, Wain Homes Severn Valley managing director, remarked: “Sophie is a very important appointment at this stage of our expansion; she has a track record of developing talent and teamwork and buys into Wain Homes’ philosophy of creating new communities where the focus is on attractive, welcoming and sustainable new homes developments in desirable, convenient locations.”
Billy Green, Avant Homes
Avant Homes Scotland has appointed Billy Green as head of customer care.
Billy Green joins from Stewart Milne Group where he held various positions during 21 years there. In all, he has over 25 years of customer care experience within the housebuilding sector.
Commenting on his new role, he said: “I am excited to have joined a business that is committed to customer-first service and look forward to leading a team of passionate and experienced customer care professionals.
“As a team, we want to provide each buyer with the best possible experience at every stage of their homebuying journey. Our commitment to continuous improvement will help drive us forward as Avant Homes Scotland launches more developments.”
Avant Homes Scotland managing director, Jim Wilkinson, commented: “Customers are at the heart of everything we do and we recognise how important it is to make their homebuying experiences as stress-free and seamless as possible.”
Two appointments, Weston Homes
Weston Homes has announced two senior appointments, with Russell Hatton named as technical director and Steve Hatton as development director.
Russell Hatton has accumulated over 25 years of experience in residential architecture. He first worked for Weston Homes in 2014 as a senior architectural technician and was named Employee of the Year in 2017. He re-joined the company in 2022.
Steve Hatton began his journey at Weston Homes in 2002 as part of the Management Trainee programme, during which the company sponsored him to complete his undergraduate degree in Town Planning and a post-graduate degree in Urban Design. He became planning & design director in 2016.
Bob Weston, chairman of Weston Homes, commented: “We are delighted to promote Steve and Russell into these key positions within our leadership team. I am confident that their expertise will be instrumental in delivering on our ambitious growth plans and maintaining our high standards of quality and innovation.”
