We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Sharon Eckford, Barratt David Wilson
Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton division has appointed Sharon Eckford as its new development director, who returns to the business where her career first began more than 20 years ago.
She originally joined Barratt Homes as a trainee land buyer and has since built a successful career across the UK housebuilding sector holding senior positions at several major companies including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Persimmon.
Eckford said: “It’s a real pleasure to be heading back to my roots at Barratt. It’s the company where I started my journey in the industry. So much has changed over the years, but one thing remains the same – Barratt’s commitment to providing quality homes to its customers from first time buyers to families and downsizers.
“It’s an exciting time to be rejoining the business and I look forward to helping shape the future of Barratt as it strives to become the UK’s leading sustainable housebuilder.”
Dan Hammond, Charles Church
Charles Church has appointed a new site manager for one its South Wales outlets.
Dan Hammond has taken the reins at The Hamlet at Parc Llanilid in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Having started as a trainee site manager with Persimmon’s Wessex business in 1997, he brings with him three decades of experience in the industry, as well as an NVQ7, NEBOSH Health and Safety certificate, and CIOB membership.
He held positions at Redrow, David Wilson Homes and Bloor Homes as site manager and contracts manager before taking on this new role.
Commenting on his appointment, Hammond said: “The people within the business have been very welcoming and made me feel part of the team from day one, and I look forward to many happy years with the company.”
Managing director of Charles Church West Wales, Stuart Phillips, added: “It’s great to have Dan join us – especially after two decades away – at an exciting time for the business at our largest site in West Wales.”
Sarah Willoughby-Parsons, HUB
HUB has appointed Sarah Willoughby-Parsons in the newly created role of head of asset management.
She has more than a decade of experience in asset and operational management across the residential living sector, directed the asset management functions of Ridgeback Group’s build-to-rent (BTR) portfolio. Prior to Ridgeback, Willoughby-Parsons was a portfolio director at Savills.
Robert Sloss, founder and CEO of HUB, said: “Sarah’s deep expertise in asset management and operational strategy within the living sectors will be instrumental in guiding us forward at a defining moment in our growth journey and this appointment is a natural next step for the business.
Willoughby-Parsons added: “I’m delighted to be joining HUB at such an exciting time. HUB already has a long-established commitment to delivering innovative, next generation schemes which positively impact communities, and I am looking forward to continuing this commitment to market leading excellence as we expand our operational portfolio.”
Stuart Rimmer, Muse
Muse has bolstered its team in the North West with the appointment of Stuart Rimmer as project director.
He brings with him over 40 years’ experience in construction, property and development, most recently at Landsec. Prior to this was an extensive period with Peel L&P where he led on projects including the regeneration of MediaCity UK.
Amongst his new projects are progressing the next chapter of the £2.5billion Crescent Salford masterplan as well as paving the way for the redevelopment of Eccles Town Centre.
Stuart Rogers, director of project management at Muse – North West, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Stuart to the team. His diverse portfolio will add real value to our team as we push forward with several mixed-use regeneration projects across the region.”
Rimmer commented: “Over the years I have come to recognise the excellent placemaking work Muse has delivered in the region and I am looking forward to working with the expert team and our partners to create place-changing regeneration.”
Pat Fitzgerald, Wates Group
Pat Fitzgerald will join Wates Group on 1 September 2025 as chief commercial officer, following the retirement of Simon Potter earlier in the year.
Fitzgerald is a chartered quantity surveyor with over 30 years of commercial and operational management experience in the construction industry. He joins Wates from Mace, where his most recent role was as commercial director for the private sector, leading a £800million annual turnover business. Before that, he was with Lendlease.
His experience in the residential, commercial and retail sectors includes projects as varied as the London 2012 Olympic Games programme, the Grand Arcade Shopping Centre in Cambridge and the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.
Fitzgerald commented: “This is a very exciting time to be joining Wates, as it continues its exciting growth trajectory, delivering more and bigger projects up and down the country. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and to support the company in its commitment to delivering excellence as a purpose-led business.”
Paul Hawkey, CBRE
CBRE has appointed Paul Hawkey as a senior director within its Residential Capital Markets team.
He joins from Knight Frank, where he spent more than nine years and most recently led the affordable housing investment team. His previous experience also includes roles at Catalyst Housing, now part of the Peabody Trust.
Commenting on his appointment, Hawkey said: “I am pleased to be joining CBRE at this hugely exciting time for the affordable housing sector. The market is going through an important period of growth, with an ever-growing number of investors looking to access the sector. I look forward to bringing my knowledge and expertise in this field to new and existing clients at CBRE.”
Justin Carty, head of residential investment advisory at CBRE, said of Hawkey: “His extensive knowledge and experience of funding affordable housing schemes, alongside his experience of working for a registered provider, will make him a valuable asset to our team as well as the wider business. We are thrilled to welcome him to CBRE.”
