We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Ben Singlewood, Bellway
Ben Singlewood has been appointed by Bellway North East as its new head of construction on a permanent basis, having held the position in an interim capacity since May 2025.
Singlewood, 51, has worked for Bellway for 21 years, having joined the company as an assistant site manager in Darlington in 2004. He became a site manager in 2011, working in Darlington, Durham and Washington. Between 2014 and 2016 he was senior site manager at Stannington Park, a regeneration project in Stannington, Northumberland for which he won a prestigious Pride in the Job Quality Award. He became construction manager, then senior construction manager.
Singlewood said: “Bellway is a great company to work for with good employee engagement. It’s a very inclusive and forward-thinking business. The one thing that is constant is change, and that’s a big appeal of the role for me. It’s a very dynamic role and I like the variety.”
Three appointments, Newett Homes
Newett Homes, has announced three new senior appointments to its leadership team as it continues to focus on accelerated growth and scaling-up operations across the business.
Jamie Moran (pictured left) is welcomed as regional technical director, with 27 years’ experience in housebuilding, having progressed from trainee architectural technician to leading technical teams across both regional builders and major volume developers.
Alastair Curran (pictured centre) has joined as head of planning, bringing extensive planning and development experience having worked in numerous senior roles across consulting and development – in both public and private sectors.
Ian Makinson (pictured right) has been appointed as head of health, safety and environment, having accumulated more than 20 years in housebuilding, along with 15 years’ construction leadership in the Royal Engineers.
Will Newett, founder of Newett Homes, commented: “Each of these appointments plays a crucial role in shaping the next stage of our journey and we are excited to see what’s ahead.”
Jo Ainsley, Barratt David Wilson
Barratt and David Wilson Homes North East has appointed Jo Ainsley as managing director.
Middlesborough-born Ainsley brings to the role more than 18 years of experience in the construction industry, including work at Taylor Wimpey and Vistry.
She is now an ambassador for the leading developer, supporting the divisional directors to uphold the core principles of Barratt and David Wilson Homes as a responsible housebuilder.
Ainsley said: “I’m thrilled to have started my role as Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North East, the biggest housebuilder in the country. I hope I can help the division continue to grow, retain its five-star reputation and create communities that people are proud to call home.
“No two days are the same in this role. I can be out on site one day, supporting the land buying team another, or opening new show homes. Whatever department I might be supporting, I most enjoy building teams and giving people an opportunity to thrive.”
John Watson, Robertson Group
Sir Bill Robertson has announced the appointment of John Watson as chairman of Robertson Group, and his own decision to step back from daily involvement of the family-owned business.
Robertson (picture centre) said: “Robertson Group celebrates 60 years of trading this year and over that time has evolved into an established portfolio of successful businesses. In the past couple of years, we have implemented a change in our operational structure with each business operating separately, while still being part of the group and upholding our long-established principles and values.
“Separate businesses is a new environment for us, and I am pleased to welcome John who brings considerable experience of business growth and investment across multiple sectors.”
Speaking of his appointment, Watson (pictured right) said: “Robertson Group is a mainstay of the built environment in Scotland and across northern England. It is a privilege to take over as executive chairman from the founder, Sir Bill.”
Samantha McCabe, Women in Property
Women in Property (WiP) has announced its new national chair, Samantha McCabe, who takes the role 1st March 2026 until 28th February 2027.
McCabe is based in Edinburgh and is Passive House lead UK and Sustainable Buildings lead Scotland for WSP, and is a former WiP Central Scotland branch chair.
She was awarded a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of the Built Environment from Queensland University of Technology and went on to practice architecture and sustainability consulting, now with WSP UK and Ireland.
McCabe said: “This industry is amazing in so many ways, but it still has something of a silo mentality when it comes to how we go about implementing design and construction. I will be talking about this a lot more through my year as national chair, under my theme ‘Building more with less’. We have a fantastic multi-disciplinary network, which is a real USP for Women in Property, and a great opportunity to promote a cross-fertilisation of ideas.”
Multiple appointments, Lichfields
Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has announced 12 promotions.
Three have been promoted to planning director: Arwel Evans, based in Cardiff; and Phil McCarthy and Lynda Newsome, both based in Newcastle. Andy McLaren, based in Manchester, has been promoted to associate director.
Newsome has more than 20 years’ planning experience across housing, industrial, health care and student accommodation, and said: “The project pipeline across the North East is strong and we anticipate this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.”
A further eight promotions have been made to senior planner: Emily Clarke, Henry Gomm, Paddy Hynes, Harry Payne and Anna Rigelsford, all based in London; Abigail Knowles in Manchester; Zoe Mason in Bristol; and Andrew McMeiken in Newcastle.
James Fennell (pictured), chief executive of Lichfields, said: “We place much emphasis on investing in the career development of our people. These promotions recognise that and what these team members have delivered for our clients.”
Two appointments, Association for Rental Living
The Association for Rental Living (ARL) has announced the appointment of new leadership for its London and South East Hub.
Tom Lord, senior director of operations at Greystar, will serve as new co-chair. Lord’s 20-year experience in the sector includes extensive strategic development and implementation work, operational team leadership, and process improvement and innovation, with a keen focus on creating high-performing cultures. He will work alongside the second appointment as co-chair, Matt Halfpenny, co-founder of Residential Living Recruitment.
Halfpenny said: “I look forward to working with Tom Lord and my fellow London and SE Hub members to drive the sector even further forward in 2026.”
Brendan Geraghty, ARL CEO, commented: “The Association for Rental Living is grateful to our outgoing chair, Sam Smith, and vice chair, Karen Standing, for their outstanding leadership of the London and South East Hub since its inauguration. We are delighted to welcome Tom and Matt to their new roles.”
Roger Comben, Zenzic Development Finance
Zenzic Development Finance (ZDF) has appointed Roger Comben as head of lending, to report into Zenzic Capital’s co-founder and Chief Investment Officer, Thomas Lloyd-Jones.
Comben brings significant property and development finance experience to Zenzic having spent over 20 years in various roles within the sector. He joins ZDF from Clearwell Capital where he spent six years as head of loan origination in their Development Finance division. Prior to this he held senior roles at a number of other businesses including Maslow Capital, United Trust Bank and Nationwide Building Society.
Thomas Lloyd-Jones, co-founder & CIO of Zenzic Capital, commented: “Roger’s two decades of deal-making experience with top tier organisations enhances our capabilities and with him on board we are well placed to build on our strong momentum and support clients across a wide range of sectors and geographies.”
Comben added: “Joining Nadine, Tom and the team presents an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of growth for the Zenzic Development Finance offering.”
Caroline Patterson, Homes England
Homes England has appointed Caroline Patterson as chief finance officer, commencing in June 2026.
An experienced financial leader, Patterson’s career has involved overseeing complex financial operations and guiding organisations through periods of change. Working alongside the recently appointed chief regional delivery officer and chief risk officer, she will help ensure robust financial stewardship underpins the agency’s ambitions to create more homes and stronger communities.
Amy Rees CB , chief executive of Homes England, said: “Completing our senior team with Caroline’s appointment as chief finance officer gives us the clarity and stability we need at a pivotal moment for Homes England.
Patterson added: “I am excited to be joining at such a pivotal moment for the agency. As Homes England enters a period of significant change and ambitious delivery, I am looking forward to playing my part in ensuring we have the strong financial leadership, discipline and insight needed to support long-term investment, effective delivery and value for money. I am really looking forward to getting started.”
