We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Andy Stewart, Bancon Homes
Bancon Homes has announced the promotion of Andy Stewart to technical and planning director.
A qualified architect and certified Passivhaus designer, he brings extensive experience in residential design, planning, and sustainable development. Before joining Bancon Homes in 2021, he spent several years in private practice, specialising in large-scale masterplans and complex brownfield developments, working closely with both private housebuilders and affordable housing providers.
Stewart’s relationship with Bancon Homes began long before his formal appointment, having collaborated with the company for nearly eight years as a client.
Commenting on his promotion, Andy Stewart said: “I’m excited to continue working with the team to bring our projects to life. Sustainable design has always been a key interest of mine, and I look forward to incorporating more environmentally responsible practices into our developments to create even better homes.”
Company MD Jamie Tosh said of Stewart: “As director, he will play a key role at board level, shaping our future growth and development.”
Max Barnes, Savills
Savills has appointed experienced director Max Barnes to a role specialising in the acquisition and sale of development land opportunities and provide development consultancy advice across Norfolk and Suffolk, based at its Norwich office.
He has worked in the property industry for 20 years, most recently at land and property investment specialists Albanwise Wallace Estates, where he was managing director of its property division.
Commenting on his appointment, Max Barnes said: “Savills has an excellent reputation and a strong track record for having great people and a collaborative culture. I’m looking forward to using my experience to help drive future growth and provide the best advice possible to existing and new clients.”
Ciara Arundel, who leads the development team at Savills in Norwich, said of the new recruit: “He fits our dynamic perfectly and has a comprehensive knowledge of Norfolk and the wider region – bringing a great deal of experience that will be to the benefit of clients and team members alike.”
Paul Kimber, Thakeham
Thakeham has welcome Paul Kimber to the role of chief financial officer (CFO), bringing with him experience of both real estate investment and property development.
He joins Thakeham from the Durkan Group where he served as CFO on the executive board until the end of 2024. Prior to his five years with Durkan, Kimber was finance director of the City division of Berkeley-owned mixed-use developer St George, where he worked on several of the largest brownfield development projects in London.
Commenting on Kimber’s appointment, Thakeham’s founder and chief executive officer Rob Boughton said: “We are excited to welcome Paul to Thakeham. His breadth of experience will fit perfectly with our strategic direction and our ambitions for growth.”
Lee Barnard, Denbury Homes
Lee Barnard has joined Denbury Homes as CEO, to work alongside recently promoted MD Joshua Hopkins.
Barnard worked with executive chairman James Hopkins for 23 years eventually leading the Hopkins Group prior to the sale of Hopkins Homes.
Speaking of his appointment, Lee Barnard said: “The progress Denbury Homes has made in the three years since the separation from Hopkins Homes has been impressive. Securing a major funding package and recognition as an HBF five-star rated builder has placed the company firmly on the regional map.
“It’s fantastic to see our reputation proceeding us as we open sites beyond our traditional heartland. We build well-designed homes that are in keeping with the regional landscape and that is something that resonates with communities and homebuyers in any area. Joshua and his team are working to secure some very exciting opportunities to continue our expansion, so I’m delighted to have joined Denbury Homes at such a pivotal moment in its development.”
Simon Harding-Roots, Muse
Muse has appointed Simon Harding-Roots as managing director for its Southern region.
He joins from The Crown Estate, where he held the position of managing director for London, overseeing a 10million-sqft, £8billion portfolio – including a £2.5billion programme of major projects. He was also executive director of Major Projects at Grosvenor Group and held senior roles at Imperial College London and with the Treasury Holdings Group.
Harding-Roots said of his appointment: “I’m thrilled to be joining a company with a proven track record of delivering much-needed housing within vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhoods… and am excited for the opportunity to lead the Southern team in delivering meaningful, long-term regeneration where it’s needed most.”
Phil Mayall, Muse’s MD, remarked: “Simon joins us with significant experience delivering complex and impactful regeneration. His pedigree, working across London and the South, will help drive our growth in the region and support established and emerging delivery partnerships.”
Clair Barry, Ascend
Third-party operator of single-family rental (SFR) homes Ascend has strengthened its Build to Rent management team with the appointment of Clair Barry to the role of head of mobilisation, to work closely with investor partners to develop tailored delivery and leasing strategies for new homes and schemes being onboarded.
She has accumulated over 25 years of expertise in residential property lettings, including eight years of specific experience with Build to Rent assets. She joins Ascend from JLL, where she was an asset manager for the company’s Build to Rent portfolio, operating units on behalf of clients including ABRDN and Schroders.
Prior to JLL, she worked at UrbanBubble as mobilisation & consultancy lead, where she developed bespoke mobilisation strategies for its Build to Rent holdings, incorporating building design to leasing plans and resident services propositions.
Lee Hill, commercial director, Ascend, commented: “Clair’s experience in this area is unrivalled, and she will play a vital role in delivering even better performance for our clients and their portfolios.”
Three appointments, Anwyl Homes
Three new recruits have joined the technical team at Chorley-based Anwyl Homes Lancashire: architectural technician Duncan Hambley (pictured left); assistant architectural technician Kerry Heaton (pictured right); and development engineer Daniel Cunliffe (pictured centre).
Hambley, from Leyland, has had a varied career including 12 years in private architectural practices and three years working with housebuilders. He’s also worked as a supply chain coordinator.
Heaton studied interior design, construction and property at the University of Salford. Her experience includes working for architects on city centre apartments and bespoke housing designs, retail fit-outs for major high street brands and, more recently, utility layouts for housing developments including Anwyl schemes.
Cunliffe completed a HNC in Civil Engineering before starting work with a groundwork contractor as a site engineer. He’s worked for several contractors over the last 10 years.
Anwyl Homes Lancashire MD John Grime said: “We’ve expanded our technical team to ensure we have a skilled workforce to help navigate new sites through the planning process and beyond.”
Steve Clark, Wyatt Homes
Steve Clark has been welcomed by Wyatt Homes to his new role as senior planning manager.
A graduating with a degree in Geography from the University of Plymouth and a Masters’ degree in Spatial Planning from Oxford Brookes University, the 41-year-old brings over 20 years’ experience in the planning sector and has previously worked with Wyatt Homes on a consultancy basis. He returns to his ‘home patch’ of Dorset after a period working for Vistry Group in head of planning and head of development roles. He has also been an associate planning director for Savills in Wimborne.
Clark commented: “My planning passion has always rested in housing, and making sure that we provide enough homes to ensure that everybody has access to it. Joining Wyatt Homes allows me to combine that with contributing towards the evolution of a place I care deeply about. I’ve worked on many major, large-scale developments before, and I’m already enjoying bringing my knowledge and expertise to the team.
Three appointments, Kirkwood Timber Frame
A trio of school leavers are upskilling, taking on traineeships with Aberdeenshire-based specialist Kirkwood Timber Frame. Cameron Forbes, 18, Harrison Brodie, 18, and Gabe Taylor, 16, all from Sauchen, have joined the company as factory operatives.
Alan Little, factory operations manager said: “It has been great to welcome the lads to the factory team and to see their personal and professional skills develop. As a company we are committed to providing training and employment opportunities for local people. Our traineeship roles are opening the door to school leavers and providing an insight into timber frame construction and the variety of roles available.”
Harrison Brodie added: “Living within a rural area, job opportunities after finishing secondary school can be limited, with most positions within hospitality or service industries. I really wanted a hands-on, practical job, so when I saw the position advertised I jumped at the chance. I am really enjoying the work and the lads in the factory have helped the three of us settle in.”
Martin Towns, M&G
Savings and investment specialist M&G has promoted Martin Towns to the role of global head, effective as of 1 July 2025.
During his 15-year career at M&G, first as a fund manager and most recently as deputy global head of M&G Real Estate – which is part of M&G plc’s US$93bn private markets division – Towns has presided over the firm’s entry into the residential sector in 2013 and establishment of its capital partnerships – Capital Solutions – business in 2015. He also played an instrumental role in the majority acquisition of BauMont Real Estate Capital.
Martin Towns commented: “As we enter this dynamic next phase of the property cycle we see many compelling new opportunities across global markets, which our teams are ideally placed to tap into. I am excited by the opportunity this brings for us as a major investor as we look to further cater to the fast-evolving needs of our investors.”
Steven Collin, Gateley RJA
Gateley RJA, the specialist quantity surveying, employer’s agent, project management and clerk of works arm of professional services group, Gateley, has announced the appointment of Steven Collin as managing director, focused on the consultancy’s national growth across the private rented and affordable housing, commercial and insurance sectors.
A Chartered quantity surveyor, Collin joined the business in 2017 and has spent the last six years in a director role. His appointment is part of the implementation of a succession plan following Richard Julian stepping down as managing director.
Collin said of his appointment: “It’s an honour to be taking up the position of managing director at Gateley RJA and I’m extremely grateful for Richard’s guidance, as well as the support of the directors and wider team. Thanks to some big instruction wins, the business has experienced rapid expansion over the past two years, which has seen our team reach a headcount of 80 colleagues.”
Two appointments, Close Brothers
Close Brothers Property Finance has announced the appointment of two new senior strategic hires. Manu Dinamani (pictured) joins the company as its director in the new Structured Finance team in London, and Iain Melville is senior business development manager, joining the team focused on lending across Yorkshire and Northern England.
Dinamani has two decades of experience in property finance, specialising in the Build to Rent, co-living and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sectors. He specialises in structuring complex transactions, capital raising and sourcing and underwriting development opportunities. Most recently investment director at Downing, prior roles include those at Watkin Jones, Crosslane Co-living and Phoenix London and Regional Ltd.
Melville brings 15 years of experience in property finance. He began his career with Close Brothers Property Finance in Edinburgh in 2010 before joining NatWest’s Corporate Real Estate team in Leeds in 2015, in the role of relationship director. In 2020, he joined sustainable developer Citu, where he was group funding manager.
