We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Four appointments, Lovell
Lovell has appointed a senior team as it launches its Lovell Strategic Land offering.
Pictured left to right:
The new department is spearheaded by Ashley Kensington, who joined Lovell as national land director in 2022 and is experienced in the delivery of large residential-led schemes, having previously held a leadership position at Berkeley Group.
With over 25 years of experience in strategic land, including a decade at the helm of Gladman Scotland, Catherine Wood holds the position of development director, leading the business’ activity across the north of England and Scotland.
Samantha Brooman has been named as associate development director Central. She has worked across the public and private sector, having held roles at local authorities such as South Kesteven District Council and construction business, Tarmac.
Kieron Gregson has been recruited as associate development director South. He was previously part of the strategic land team at Carter Jonas.
Two appointments, British Land
British Land has announced that Emma Cariaga has been appointed chief operating officer, and that David Lockyer, who is head of development, taking on additional responsibility for the delivery of the Canada Water project.
Cariaga succeeds David Walker. She was previously joint head of Canada Water, a 50:50 joint venture with AustralianSuper, and will also continue to lead the Residential business, including at Canada Water.
Lockyer will work alongside Roger Madelin. He joined British Land in 2010 and became head of development in 2023.
Simon Carter, CEO at British Land, said: “I’m pleased to announce Emma Cariaga as our new chief operating officer. Emma has been instrumental in driving the Canada Water project to this point and will bring her extensive operational and leadership experience to her new role. I am delighted that David will be taking on additional responsibility for the project as part of his role as head of development.”
Luke Cleary, Forays Homes
Forays Homes has announced that Luke Cleary has joined the team as land & planning manager, to strengthen the land acquisition business and coordinate the planning team’s applications.
With over 25 years in agency and having secured land for Forays on a number of sites in the Three Counties area, Cleary brings with him a vast network of land professionals in the South East.
Having worked for a local independent agency for 14 years and a large national corporate for the last 10 years, he has dealt with single family-owned plots to town centre schemes of in excess of 100 units on sensitive gateway applications. Clients have included national housing associations, BTR operators, RPs, numerous SMEs as well as local builders.
Commenting on Cleary’s appointment, Forays Homes said: “With great local knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the new homes side of the business, we look forward to delivering quality homes in harmony with their surroundings.”
Zoe White, Newland Homes
Newland Homes has appointed Zoe White as its new finance director.
With a degree in Accountancy and Finance from UWE Bristol and CIMA qualified, she has previously held key financial positions in the property industry for brands such as Crest Nicholson, Robert Hitchins and Lafarge Plasterboard (now Siniat). In 2020, she was instrumental in establishing a new division of Countryside Properties in Bristol, which subsequently merged with Vistry Group in 2022.
White said: “This new role offers the autonomy and flexibility to refine the robust systems already in place and make them even more effective. I aim to bring an element of ‘PLC-thinking’ to complement the company’s established culture. The company’s exceptional staff retention rates – rare in the property industry – are a testament to this strong culture.”
MD David Foreman commented: “Zoe’s expertise in financial management aligns perfectly with our vision for the future and we’re grateful to have her on our team.”
Three appointments, Richborough
Richborough has appointed Matt Parry MRTPI as its new planning delivery director, supported by Briony Stenhouse (pictured left) and Grace Sadler (pictured right), who have both been internally promoted to the role of planning delivery manager.
Parry joins from Redrow, where he was strategic land and planning director for the South Midlands.
Paul Campbell, chief executive at Richborough, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Matt to Richborough. Huge congratulations to him, Briony and Grace on being appointed to lead this important new department. The Planning Delivery team’s focus on planning applications will allow our regional teams to concentrate on adding quality sites to the portfolio and providing our bespoke service to landowners.”
Matt Parry added: “Richborough has a great reputation in the housebuilding sector for the quality and quantity of opportunities brought to market. Its growth plans are ambitious and completely aligned to one of the government’s key aims for planning and housing delivery, so it feels like a great time to join.”
Peter Wilkinson, Castle Green Homes
Castle Green Homes has welcomed Peter Wilkinson to the new role of commercial manager.
He joins from Redrow, where he worked for more than 20 years, progressing from trainee quantity surveyor to commercial manager.
Wilkinson said: “The housebuilding industry is very rewarding. I didn’t go to university but went into a role with a mix of college and work-based training. There are lots of different routes to take including apprenticeships.”
He explained of his new Preston-based position: “I was brought in to manage the commercial department in the North West. My role will include providing commercial input into land bids, partnership agreements, procuring subcontractors and supplier agreements. We have quite a diverse team, including some people in the early stages of their careers who I’ll be supporting and sharing my experience with, along with providing leadership.”
Hugh Taylor, Muse
Muse has appointed Hugh Taylor as senior project manager in the North West, supporting the delivery of the £550m Oldham Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan, which includes some 2,000 new homes across a mix of tenures.
He joins the Salford-based team from Glenbrook Property, where he focused on two opportunities at Lumina Village, the £250m regeneration adjacent to the iconic Old Trafford cricket ground. He has also supported Latimer.
Taylor remarked: “Muse is an exciting and dynamic placemaker with an industry-leading reputation. The Oldham Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan is a prime example of game-changing regeneration in the North West and I’m looking forward to working with the team – and our public sector partners – to deliver.”
Stuart Rogers, director project management at Muse – North West, said: “Hugh’s appointment is a further signal of our intent to strengthen our capabilities and capacity across the North West this year.”
Jonny Kiddle, Savills
Development director Jonny Kiddle has been appointed to head up Savills’ South Coast Development team.
He joined Savills just over a year ago, marking a return to the firm having started his career as a graduate in 2006 and qualifying in 2008. He spent five years with Savills South Coast Development team before spending 12 years client side, and will be based across the firm’s Southampton and Wimborne offices.
Kiddle succeeds Colin Wilkins, who joined Savills in 1994 and has headed up the department for the last 20 years.
Patrick Eve, Savills’ head of regional development, commented: “We are very pleased Jonny will be taking the South Coast Development team forward, with his vast experience building on the team’s existing capabilities and ensuring we continue to provide the very best service for new and existing clients.
Kiddle added: “I am honoured to be taking over the reins from Colin after his outstanding stint as head of South Coast Development.”
Andy Thomson, United Trust Bank
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to expand its property development proposition by appointing Andy Thomson to the newly created role of senior director – operational real estate, where he will lead its activity in the Build to Rent (BTR) sector before exploring opportunities in adjacent markets including Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Co-living.
Thomson has accumulated over 30 years of banking experience, joining UTB from Bank of London and Middle East, where he was head of real estate finance and private banking. Previous senior roles include time at RBS, Bank of Scotland, Secure Trust Bank and Avison Young.
Thomson said of his new role: “I am excited to have joined such a highly regarded bank with an impressive track record. The UK Living sector is an attractive real estate asset class for domestic and international capital seeking high quality investment and development opportunities.”
Three appointments, The LK Group
Geo-environmental consultancy and remediation contractor, The LK Group, has hired a new director, associate director and remediation manager.
Nick Riding joins The LK Group as a director. With two-and-a-half decades of expertise in land quality services, the last 16 of which were at another well-known multidisciplinary consulting company.
Matthew Bell has been recruited as an associate director for the Flood Risk and Drainage department. He arrives with more than 18 years in flood risk consultancy.
Will Fitzpatrick joins as remediation manager, with a wealth of expertise gained from his previous roles in both residential and commercial markets working with clients ranging from housebuilders to blue-chip companies.
Conor Leyden, a director at The LK Group, said of these appointments: “They’ve joined us at such an exciting time, as our ambitious growth plans drive us to scale up operations across the South West and Yorkshire.”
