We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Ben Webster, William Davis Homes
William Davis Homes has strengthened its team with the addition of a new land and planning manager.
Ben Webster recently joined the West Midlands office of William Davis Homes, based in Leamington Spa. He was previously at a land promotion company and now works alongside Andrew Morgan, William Davis’ land director for the West Midlands, and James Chatterton, the company’s head of planning for the region.
Webster said: “I’ve always been interested in property, I studied real estate at university and have worked on land acquisition and in a role for a smaller developer in the past. It’s been great joining the William Davis team – the West Midlands arm of the business is growing and it’s an exciting time, so I’m enjoying being part of that.
Morgan added: “Ben has been an excellent addition to our team and has already made great strides in our relationships with landowners and our wider network.”
Matt Grant, Wain Estates
Warrington-based strategic land company Wain Estates has appointed Matt Grant as senior planning manager.
He brings 12 years’ experience across the public and private sectors and joins from a national housebuilder, where he worked as a planning manager. In his new role, Grant will oversee a portfolio of strategic land sites across the UK, supporting landowners through the planning process.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Wain Estates during what is an extremely exciting period in the strategic land world.
“The government’s reforms to national planning policy have provided what may well be a once in a generation opportunity to boost housing delivery on sustainable sites across the country.
Wain Estates planning director Neil Lewis added: “Matt’s experience strengthens the team as we continue to grow our strategic land portfolio across the UK.
“With a strong planning team in place, we’re well positioned to respond to changes in planning policy and work closely with landowners to secure permissions and maximise land value.”
Craig Vesey, Trust Housing Association
Trust Housing Association has appointed Craig Vesey as its new head of development and sustainability.
He joins the organisation from McTaggart Construction and brings wide-ranging sector experience from his time there and in previous senior development roles, which include spells at two of the largest national RSLs in Scotland.
In his new role, Vesey will lead Trust’s new build development and remodelling activities and drive forward its sustainability and decarbonisation plans.
Ian Davie, director of assets & sustainability at Trust Housing Association, said: “After an extensive recruitment process, we are delighted to welcome, Craig, to Trust. Craig has valuable sector experience that will shape the planning and delivery of our development and sustainability ambitions.
“He will also be a fantastic addition to our leadership team, strengthening our strategic capacity and bringing new relationships and partnership opportunities from across the sector.”
Two appointments, Zimbl
Zimbl, the new integrated mobility, energy and community hub facility for the built environment, has appointed Miles Price and Ed Cree as non-executive directors.
A Fellow of the RTPI, Price (pictured left) is the former planning and transport director at British Land, where he spent more than 25 years. Currently, he is a director in the development team at Savills on secondment to Places for London. He was named UK Transport Planner of the Year for his pioneering work in travel planning.
Cree (pictured right) is a Chartered Surveyor with more than 34 years’ experience and a track record in property, including two decades at British Land, where he oversaw millions of square feet of transactions and contributed to landmark mixed-use, retail and development deals
Jan Simmonds, founder and chief strategy officer at Zimbl, said: “Miles and Ed bring huge credibility, insight and senior market experience to the company at exactly the right moment.”
Harry Downes, Ringley Group
Ringley Group, specialists in residential and Living sector management, has appointed Build to Rent industry leader Harry Downes to accelerate the growth of its UK Living business.
He joins as divisional CEO – Multi Family, where he will oversee Ringley’s portfolio of Living assets including BTR and later living.
During his time with the CBRE Residential Development Consultancy team, Downes was one of the early pioneers of the BTR sector when it emerged as an asset class to encourage institutional investment into purpose-built rental housing in the UK around 15 years ago.
In 2012 he established Fizzy Living, and over the next ten years led the growth of a portfolio of over 1,000 units across London and the South East. Following Greystar’s acquisition of Fizzy Living in 2022, he spent over three years leading GreyStar’s BTR Investment platform.
Downes commented: “I’m excited to be joining Ringley and can’t wait to get started.”
