We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
John Phillips, Allison Homes
Allison Homes has promoted John Phillips to the role of build director for its South West region.
He joined the business as a construction manager over two-and-a-half years ago, delivering homes across Devon. He has accumulated a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in the industry for over 18 years and holding previous positions at Barratt Homes and Hawkfield Homes.
Phillips said: “I’m proud to step into this role at such an exciting time for Allison Homes South West. I’ve had the privilege of working with a fantastic team over the past few years, and I’m looking forward to building on that foundation. As we continue expanding our presence in the South West, my focus will be on delivering well-built, energy-efficient homes that our customers are proud of, while continuing to strengthen the relationships that underpin our success.”
Jon Cook, group MD of Allison Homes, commented: “John’s promotion is a testament to his leadership, expertise and commitment.”
James Haldron, Croudace Homes
As part of its ambitious 10-year growth plans announced last year, Croudace Homes has appointed its second commercial director in just three months.
James Haldron has been appointed commercial director for the company’s North Thames region following a 20-year career that has seen him rise through the ranks from quantity surveyor apprentice to his current role. He completed his apprenticeship with a main contractor, where he stayed for 12 years, before leaving to join Lovell as a senior quantity surveyor. He then moved to Kier Living as a managing quantity surveyor was promoted to commercial director after several years with the business.
Haldron commented: “My career has seen me work both on the contracting side and the private development side, which is advantageous for my role with Croudace.
Adrian Watts, CEO at Croudace Homes, added: “I look forward to seeing the direction that James takes the North Thames region in over the coming years.”
Andrew Wilson, Gleeson Homes
Gleeson Homes has appointed Andrew Wilson as its new group construction manager.
Bringing over two decades of industry experience to the role, Wilson has held senior construction roles at several housebuilders, including North Country Homes, Avant Homes and most recently, Redrow. He has himself received four NHBC Quality Awards between 2009 and 2019 and mentored multiple teams to success with three first-time NHBC Pride in the Job Award wins.
Wilson commented: “My new role presents a fantastic opportunity to help the business deliver on this commitment by ensuring we raise standards and deliver the highest quality and service for our customers, every time.”
Mark Knight, chief executive at Gleeson Homes, added: “Andrew has a strong track record of delivering excellence in build, quality, and customer satisfaction, making him a fantastic fit for our business. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to raise standards, embed best practice and drive operational efficiencies across the group.”
Two appointments, Knight Frank
Knight Frank has appointed two new partners to its Leeds office, specialising in capital markets, and residential land and development.
Richard Brooke and Brad Harris both join from the Leeds office of commercial property consultants and auctioneers Allsops. The appointments come at a time when cross-sector development opportunities are emerging across the region’s urban centres, with an estimated €575million of potential mixed-use schemes in the pipeline.
Brooke (pictured second left), who had worked at Cushman & Wakefield before Allsops, commented: “This is a major move and an important opportunity for me. The capital markets team is the leading player in the Yorkshire region, and I am excited to contribute to its continued success together with my fellow partner Graham Foxton.”
Harris (pictured second right), whose previous experience includes roles at Dacre Son and Hartley and JLL, added: “This is a major career move for me. It gives me the opportunity to develop Knight Frank’s residential land and development team in Yorkshire, bridging the gap between the residential and commercial development sectors.”
Two appointments, Moveplus
Moveplus has announced Katie Shepherd and Holly Strachan have joined the team for its housebuilder clients.
As client relationship managers, both will be spending their time out collaborating with clients to provide training and support, attending launches, and making sure clients maximise the use of both Part Exchange and Assisted Move schemes.
With over 12 years of experience in property sales, Shepherd (pictured left) began her career as an estate agent and has since transitioned to significant roles with leading housebuilders, including Persimmon and Linden Homes, most recently as field sales manager at Vistry, following the merger.
Strachan (pictured right) brings over a decade of experience in customer service including four years as a senior sales consultant for a prestigious housebuilder, and has worked closely with Moveplus for the past three years.
Jordan Priest, Adderstone Living
Affordable housebuilder Adderstone Living has appointed Jordan Priest as quantity surveyor (QS) to support its growth and enhance client services.
With over 10 years of industry experience, he will manage QS work and procurement on key developments across Yorkshire, including projects for social housing provider Karbon Homes in East Cowton and Swinton.
Priest said: “The opportunity to engage in the many exciting projects and play a key role in developing business was very attractive. I’m really looking forward to collaborating with the team to drive these schemes to completion.”
Rick Lond, regional director of Adderstone Living, added: “This is a further key appointment for our busy Yorkshire operations. We have a strong pipeline of work, which we see as key to attracting the best talent. Jordan’s appointment represents a positive move as we invest in resources to meet the demand going forward from our expanding client base.”
Tara Pronaszko, Actis
Insulation specialist Actis has expanded its technical team with the appointment of Tara Pronaszko as a new specification manager for the North.
She joins the UK-wide specification team to work with builders, architects, building control officers and energy assessors across North West and North East England, the East Midlands and the whole of mainland Scotland.
Pronaszko’s academic background includes an MA in History and she commented: “It might seem like an unexpected fit, but it actually helped me build a solid skillset – things like research, attention to detail, and clear writing. All of that translates surprisingly well to construction specs, where accuracy and clarity are key.”
Of Pronaszko’s new role, Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper added: “As well as visiting sites, creating complex build-ups, building strong relationships with architects, housing developers and building control officers to ensure our solutions are specified effectively, she will helping to train the current and next generation of construction industry professionals via our RIBA-approved CPD training courses.”
Jo Cope, Gateley Legal
Gateley Legal has bolstered its specialist residential development team in London with the appointment of legal director, Jo Cope.
Cope (pictured second left) joins following roles with Birketts, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and Mayer Brown amd brings more than 20 years of development experience, acting on a wide range of matters including mixed-use developments and town centre regeneration, as well as framework agreements, conditional acquisitions, building leases, private rented sector (PRS) and registered provider disposals.
The moves will see the now 12-strong London residential development team continue to support housebuilders, developers and land promoters of residential developments, large-scale regeneration and urban redevelopments, as well as PRS/Build-to-Rent schemes across London and the South.
Andy Wilson, partner and national head of the residential development team at Gateley Legal, said: “Jo is a brilliant addition to our London-based team. She brings a wealth of development expertise which will really strengthen the breadth and depth of its offering as it continues to expand and increase its reach across the South.”
