We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Andrew Harvey, Vistry Group
Vistry Group has announced the appointment of Andrew Harvey as the new managing director of its South Central Midlands business unit.
He has been an integral part of the regional land team for Vistry over the past five years, bringing extensive experience within the housebuilding sector. In his previous job at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, he progressed from the graduate scheme to senior land manager.
Harvey joined Vistry as regional land director and his promotion to MD has resulted in several internal moves, with Mark Jones taking the role of commercial director and Michael Feenan becoming the head of land.
James Warrington, executive chair at Vistry Group, said: “I am delighted to see Andrew make the move into the managing director role. He is inheriting a superb team and exciting developments both in the pipeline and under construction which will provide thousands of mixed-tenure homes across the region.”
Warren Bolton, Owl Partnerships
Tamworth-based Owl Partnerships has appointed Warren Bolton as managing director as the company unveiled a refreshed brand identity.
Bolton brings with him over 20 years’ experience in affordable housing and has held senior roles at Lovell, Barratt and Keon Homes.
He said: “I’ve built my career by creating long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with clients, suppliers and colleagues, and believed this approach would fit well with the Owl ethos. Our sector has just been given a huge boost and much-needed clarity with the announcement of the Affordable Homes Programme, meaning we can begin to tackle the challenge of delivering the government’s housing targets.
Bolton added: “As an industry, we need to tackle the skills shortage and better promote construction careers; they offer variety, are well paid and hold fantastic long-term prospects. I’m proud to employ apprentices and growing this programme will be a high priority as we seek to achieve our goal of becoming a leading SME affordable housing developer.”
Two appointments, Kirkwood Timber Frame
Scotland-based Kirkwood Timber Frame has recruited two new staff, as it extends its operation in England.
Antony Bayles (pictured left), from West Auckland, joins as technical sales manager and Morgan Howe (pictured right), from Bishop Auckland, as contracts supervisor, for England and Wales. The duo has a combined 35 years’ experience in the construction and timber frame industries. They will be supported by MD Malcolm Thomson and business development director Barbara Massie.
Bayles previously managed the timber frame sector for a New York Stock Exchange top 100 construction company, covering UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. He has also held roles in manufacturing and product design.
Howe joined a national housebuilder at age 16, progressing from apprentice to site joiner. He left after seven years, working self-employed for most major manufactures of large timber frame structures, managing a team of staff that installed the frames on site.
Barbara Massie said: “Morgan and Antony’s recruitment demonstrates our commitment to our English-based customers.”
Two appointments, Barratt Redrow
Barratt Redrow has welcomed Mike Roberts and Victoria Hesson to its executive committee.
Roberts (pictured left) joins as chief operating officer designate, taking on part of Steven Boyes’ responsibilities in advance of Boyes retiring from the board in September, while Hesson (pictured right) has been appointed group land and planning director, following the retirement of Philip Barnes.
Roberts has been regional managing director for our Northern region since 2017, having joined the Barratt group in 2004, while Hesson will move from Gladman Developments, where she has been managing director since Gladman joined Barratt in 2022.
David Thomas, group CEO, said: “I would like to welcome Mike and Vicky to the executive committee, further strengthening our leadership team and bringing a wealth of experience to help support our growth plans.”
Sam Dickenson, 21 Living
The team at Altrincham-based 21 Living has welcomed Sam Dickenson, who has joined as a project QS.
He joins from RussellWBHO and brings with him significant commercial and residential experience in project quantity surveying. He spent the last nine years working there, with clients including Property Alliance Group on its Manchester city centre residential tower, Axis, CareUK’s Wilmslow care home, Derwent and Lineage.
Dickenson said: “Joining the team brings a new opportunity for me to be hands on with all aspects of the build project, to share my skills learnt at a larger firm, and to be part of an ambitious regional development company.”
Commercial director Josh Stones added: “I have worked with Sam and know his expertise will bring a lot of consistency and efficiency to this project. It was important for us to find the right QS to help us with the largest project in our portfolio to date.”
Simon Century, Homes England
Homes England has appointed Simon Century as its new chief investment officer. Joining in September 2025.
The former head of capital investing at L&G, Century also served as managing director – housing at L&G. Previous roles include time at Inspired Villages and the British Property Federation.
Eamonn Boylan, CEO of Homes England, said: “Simon brings a wealth of experience from roles in the investment and housing sectors and will be a great addition to the agency’s leadership team. I’d like to thank interim CIO Marcus Ralling for his significant contribution and commitment to the agency.”
Century added: “I’m delighted to be joining Homes England to lead the agency’s investment activities, particularly helping to shape the setup of the National Housing Bank. I look forward to continuing to work closely with partners to enable sustainable and innovative investment in housing and regeneration.”
Daniel Joyce, Close Brothers Property Finance
Currently deputy managing director, Daniel Joyce (pictured left) has been appointed managing director of Close Brothers Property Finance, succeeding Rowland Thomas (pictured right), who will be retiring from the business at the end of July following 38 years with the lender.
Joyce joined the company over 25 years ago, initially in a support function before his appointment to relationship manager in 2006. He was promoted to the Property Finance board in 2015, having successfully grown a large portfolio of residential development and commercial investment loans. He became deputy managing director in August 2023.
In addition to his responsibilities as MD, overseeing the team of 100, Thomas personally managed a substantial portfolio of clients and funded countless projects over time across all the major property asset classes from small residential projects to large commercial schemes.
Phil Hooper, CEO of Close Brothers Property Finance, said: “Although Rowland will be greatly missed, we are fortunate that Daniel will be stepping into the managing director role.”
Two appointments, Strutt & Parker
Strutt & Parker, part of BNP Paribas Real Estate, has announced two key senior appointments, with Gary Higgins joining as managing director and Tamerah Couchman as head of marketing & client experience.
Higgins (pictured right) joins Strutt & Parker from BNP Paribas in London, where he spent 20 years in senior leadership roles, most recently managing director, UK corporate client coverage.
He said: “I look forward to working with Guy Robinson, head of residential, Kate Moisson, head of rural and Tamerah Couchman to build on the company’s strong foundation and unlock new opportunities to drive growth and generate long-term value for our shareholders.”
Couchman (pictured left) joins from Carter Jonas and brings a wealth of experience in estate agency, rural and commercial property marketing.
She said: “Strutt & Parker is a brand with exceptional heritage and client trust. I’m looking forward to elevating this further through best-in-class marketing and a seamless client experience.”
Paul Finch, Liberty Rock
Liberty Rock has appointed London, overseas and ultra-prime real estate specialist Paul Finch as MD of the company’s property advisory and buying agency, Liberty Rock Property.
Finch was previously at Beauchamp Estates, which he joined in 2006 as a senior sales negotiator, rising rapidly through the business, appointed from 2019 onwards as director and head of new homes.
Alongside private clients, he has advised a range of leading developers and real estate investors at CEO level including Reuben Brothers, Caudwell, REDD Real Estate, Berkeley Homes, Amazon Property Group, Aerium and Oakmayne Properties.
Scott-havard Williams, CEO & group director at Liberty Rock, said: “Liberty Rock is delighted to welcome property industry dynamo Paul Finch to our senior team of directors.”
Finch commented: “I am delighted to be joining Liberty Rock and heading up the property division at a highly momentous period of change to business models and funding within the property industry. I have huge admiration for Scott-havard Williams and his colleagues.”
Multiple appointments, Turley
Turley has made a series of new appointments in its Cardiff office as part of the company’s investment in its South West and Wales planning team.
Catrin Jones (pictured) has joined as director, planning, to bolster Turley’s capabilities in Net Zero Infrastructure. She was most recently head of environment & consenting – Celtic Sea at BlueFloat Energy and brings nearly two decades of experience in environmental planning, infrastructure consenting and strategic policy development.
Alongside Jones, Leo Horton-Taylor joined as a senior planner from Stantec, while Jamie Wright and Georgie King Brain both joined as assistant planners.
Speaking about her appointment, Jones said: “Turley’s integrated approach and purpose-led culture makes it an incredibly exciting place to continue my journey. I’m passionate about sustainable development and delivering infrastructure that creates lasting value, and I look forward to working with clients and colleagues to shape places that support a Net Zero future.”
Two appointments, Chapman Taylor Group
Multi-disciplinary practice Chapman Taylor Group has announced that London director Marcelina Zielinska and Manchester director Michael Swiszczowski, both members of Chapman Taylor’s UK board, have been appointed to the Chapman Taylor Group board, joining existing members Adrian Griffiths, Michael Cottam, Mikel Barriola, Jon Hale and Ruprecht Melder.
Zielinska joined Chapman Taylor in March 2007 and was appointed to the UK board in 2023. She brings extensive experience across all stages of the design process, having led a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from individual buildings to large-scale masterplans. She is a regular speaker at international urban conferences.
Swiszczowski joined the company in 2016 to establish and expand the group’s residential expertise, and he became a UK board member in 2022. He is a recognised voice in the Build to Rent and offers extensive design experience across BTR, student accommodation, hotels, serviced apartments and modular construction. He is also regular speaker at residential and property conferences.
Scott Thompson, Pegasus Group
Multidisciplinary development consultancy Pegasus Group has appointed Scott Thompson as senior director of urban design in its Newcastle office.
He joins from his own architecture and urban design business, Urban North and has accumulated over 20 years’ experience, having worked with UK housebuilders across a wide range of residential developments throughout the UK, uch as Wynyard Village on behalf of Cameron Hall Developments.
Commenting on the appointment, Sandra Manson, executive director and head of the Pegasus Newcastle office, said: “Scott is a fantastic addition to our Newcastle team. His vast experience of residential developments across the north-east, combined with the talent of our existing team, has created a powerhouse of urban design capability. When combined with our full range of services, we offer clients a truly multifaceted approach to delivering their development projects.”
Thompson added: “I’m looking forward to exciting times ahead.”
