We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Chris West, Wavensmere Homes
Wavensmere Homes has recruited Chris West to the newly created senior position of finance business partner.
A CIMA qualified accountant with over a decade of finance experience, West joins from the Birmingham office of Avison Young, where he worked as a senior corporate accountant since 2019. Prior to that, he was a finance executive and IT manager for Leaping Man Group. West is
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Chris joins us only six months after Anthony Cakebread started as finance director, which reflects the investment we’re making this year to bolster out senior in-house team. There has never been a tougher business climate for SME housebuilders, so this appointment will maintain and enhance our strong appeal with local authorities, landowners, partners and investors.”
West added: “I am thrilled to join Wavensmere’s in-house finance team. I’ll be able to progress my career, while developing a detailed understanding of Wavensmere’s financial trajectory. I certainly hope to play a part in the ongoing success of this fantastic development firm.”
Max King, Muse
Muse has appointed Max King as director of project management in its Yorkshire and North East.
King re-joins Muse, where he previously worked in the North West team as senior project director for five years, before a spell as director of projects at Latimer by Clarion. He brings experience across all forms of housing tenure, as well as large-scale town and city centre regeneration.
Commenting on his appointment, King said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Muse and joining the Yorkshire and North East team at such an important point for the region. There is a strong pipeline of ambitious regeneration projects, backed by talented people and trusted partnerships, creating a real opportunity to deliver places that generate lasting economic and social value.”
Simon Dew, regional managing director at Muse, said: “Max brings a strong understanding of Muse’s long-term, place-led approach, combined with both technical expertise and genuine passion for embracing the locality.”
Patrick Swallow, Bellway
Bellway has appointed Patrick Swallow as strategic land and planning manager for its Manchester region, based at the regional head office in Warrington.
He brings three-and-a-half years of experience in the housebuilding sector, having worked across both planning and land teams. Originally from Macclesfield, Swallow began his career in land and planning in nearby Congleton after completing degrees in marketing and management and planning at Newcastle University.
He said: “Experience in both land and planning has proved invaluable in helping me settle quickly into my new position and develop a clear understanding of the complex process of land acquisition through to planning determination.
“In my current role, I am focused on identifying and securing new strategic land opportunities to strengthen the divisional pipeline.
“While Bellway’s strategic land function is headquartered in Newcastle, my role is one of a small number based within a regional office, allowing me to maintain a strong on-the-ground presence.”
Two appointments, ARL
The Association for Rental Living (ARL) has marked a decade of sector leadership with the appointment of two new senior staff members.
Alex Vail joins on 7 July 2026 as its first dedicated, full-time senior operations hire, in the role of director of operations. He brings over 20 years of operations and trade organisation experience with former roles at UK Finance, Digital Catapult, Capital Enterprise and others.
Joining from 20 July 2026 is Louisa Batts as head of membership, governance and engagement. She comes from Urban Land Institute (ULI) Europe and has a decade of experience leading the strategy, operations and growth of ULI Europe’s industry forums programme: multi-market, member-led platform for senior real estate professionals.
Brendan Geraghty, ARL CEO, commented: “We warmly welcome Alex and Louisa and look forward to their contributions in further developing the ARL’s governance, commercial development and sector partnerships for the benefit of members, and the wider rental living sector.”
Alex Reid, Montfort
Montfort has appointed Alex Reid as head of real estate, expanding the agency’s Real Assets practice with specialist expertise across property development, built environment and real estate investment.
Reid joins from SEC Newgate, where he advised leading UK property developers, listed housebuilders, SMEs and built environment organisations.
He said: “Having spent more than a decade advising some of the UK’s leading real estate businesses, my ambition is to bring that full capability to clients and, together, establish Montfort as the market leader across the real assets landscape.”
Hugh Morrison, Montfort co-founder, said: “Alex brings exactly the kind of grounded, senior expertise that clients need when those pressures converge. [His] appointment accelerates our ambition to make Montfort the adviser of choice across the entire real assets landscape and to do it in a way that sets a new standard for what strategic communications can achieve.”
Andrew Palmer, Connexus
Connexus has announced the appointment of Andrew Palmer as its new chief finance officer, who will join the organisation this autumn.
Palmer brings nearly 20 years’ experience in the housing sector and more than a decade as a qualified accountant. He joins Connexus from Aspire Housing, where he spent around five years as part of the executive team. Prior to that, he spent five years at Walsall Housing Group (whg) in a senior finance role.
Palmer said: “I’m delighted to be joining Connexus at such an important time as the organisation embarks on the second year its five-year Corporate Plan. I’m really looking forward to working with the senior leadership team and the board to help shape investment decisions that make a real difference to rural communities.”
Kate Smith, chief executive at Connexus, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Andrew to Connexus. He brings a strong track record of financial leadership in the housing sector.”
Graham McDonald, VASO Global
VASO Global has announced Graham McDonald as its company chairman.
He arrives with extensive board-level experience, having led teams on a global basis across multiple jurisdiction,s demonstrating a proven ability to determine, develop and execute successful business strategies while delivering transformational change.
Of his appointment, McDonald said: “Joining the VASO Global board as its chairman is a hugely exciting opportunity. The team are set to deliver a game-changing product which will transform the housebuilding and construction sectors across the UK and the world.
“To have the chance to help maximise that opportunity at the helm of such an experienced and talented team, and provide the governance which will help this pioneering start-up fulfil its enormous potential, is a role which I am delighted and honoured to accept.”
Eddie Black, co-founder and MD of VASO Global, said: “Graham’s appointment is a further step in the direction where we are taking the game-changing innovation of VASO Global to the forefront of the global housebuilding and construction sectors.”
Multiple appointments, Anderson Rose
Anderson Rose has bolstered its prime central London team following an internal restructure.
Following the departure of Scott Joseph, who helped establish the Anderson Rose brand, Fin Chesterman has been promoted to head of Prime Central London (PCL), with Archie Gillies joining him from the Tower Bridge office.
Founder & managing director Jon Byers (pictured left) will oversee the PCL operations with a view to enhancing the team’s offering across their key areas of operation as well as engaging plans to expand the firm’s reach across prime London.
Chesterman (pictured centre) has held roles at James Pendleton and JLL, after graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Real Estate Management. He joined Anderson Rose in 2025.
He said: “I’m very excited to now be leading this team. I am passionate about delivering exceptional service and solutions to clients and believe my in-depth market knowledge and approach will help contribute to the future success of the company.”
Three appointments, Gateley RJA
Gateley RJA has strengthened its national clerk of works team with a trio of appointments. Dan Cook (pictured right) takes up the role of technical director, while Alex Turpin and Duncan Bremner both join as assistant clerk of works.
Cook brings 25 years of construction management experience to the team. He has previously held roles with major housebuilders including Bellway Homes, Morris Homes, Barratt Redrow and William Davis Homes. He holds an NVQ Level 7 Diploma in Construction Senior Management, is an associate member of the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI) and is also a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
With more than 15 years of industry experience, Turpin joins the team following roles with housebuilders and developers, including McCarthy & Stone. Bremner holds 30 years of construction experience including roles at Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Redrow.
George Tsielepis, Montagu Evans
Montagu Evans has appointed experienced development and living sector valuation specialist George Tsielepis as a partner in its Residential Valuation team.
He joins from Knight Frank, where he was a partner in the firm’s Residential Investment Valuation division. Prior to that, he was head of valuation at Anderson, Wilde & Harris.
With over 18 years’ experience, Tsielepis has delivered high-value, complex valuations across BTR, PRS, co-living, single-family housing, and the broader development market as a whole. Acting on behalf of the sector’s leading institutional lenders, funders, brokers and developers, his clients have included HSBC, Macquarie, NatWest and Aldar.
Tsielepis said: “Montagu Evans appealed to me for its unrivalled combination of cross-sectoral valuation expertise and a strongly established footprint in the residential market, giving it a strong proposition in this service area. I look forward to leveraging the firm’s partner-driven approach, as well as my existing network, to drive this offering further.”
