We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
David Mullin, Leaf Living
Leaf Living has appointed David Mullin as chief financial officer (CFO).
He brings more than 20 years’ experience in residential and corporate finance and joins from Sage, where he was most recently managing director of commercial operations. He had previously led the finance function as financial director and interim CFO. Prior to this, David spent eight years in senior financial roles at Berkeley Homes, having begun his career with global healthcare company GSK.
Will Montague, CEO at Leaf Living, said: “David brings considerable financial and operational experience, and his appointment further strengthens our experienced leadership team as we continue to scale the business.”
Mullin added: “Leaf Living has built a strong reputation in a growing sector underpinned by a differentiated operating model and a proven platform of high-quality homes. I am pleased to be joining the business at this exciting stage of its development and look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth.”
Alex Isted, Lovell
Lovell has appointed Alex Isted as regional managing director covering Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire.
Isted joins from sister company Morgan Sindall Construction, where he established the successful North East and Cumbria business from its formation in 2022. He brings expertise in building teams, setting strategy in highly competitive markets and working with public and private sector partners to deliver projects with long-term value.
Isted said: “I am proud to work within the Morgan Sindall Group, having been here for nearly 17 years working on a range of projects and leading key businesses. The blend of construction and development at Lovell is what attracted me. It takes strategic thinking and creativity to bring schemes to reality and partnership working is something I have always found rewarding.
“I want to build a people-focused culture with high expectations, where people are supported to learn, improve and take pride in what they do. I am looking forward to getting to know our teams, partners and customers.”
Charles Leigh, Valouran
Valouran has appointed Charles Leigh as partner as the company continues to strengthen its leadership team and support its next phase of growth.
Leigh joined Valouran as sales director when the business was founded in 2022 and has played a key role in developing its sales operations across a portfolio of nine major London sites, representing more than £4bn in assets.
He brings more than 30 years’ experience in the prime residential property sector, having previously held senior roles at firms including CBRE, Knight Frank and SPINK. His career has included leading sales strategies for high-profile developments and landmark schemes across Prime Central London.
Leigh said: “It continues to be a privilege to work alongside such a talented team and to contribute to the growth and success of a business that is helping redefine Prime Central London.
“With an outstanding team and some of London’s most exciting projects ahead of us, I look forward to helping shape the next chapter of Valouran’s growth.”
Tom Sheppard, Newland Homes
Newland Homes has announced the promotion of Tom Sheppard (pictured left) to managing director designate, a newly created role to support the continued growth of the business as a leading developer of zero carbon homes in the South West.
David Foreman (pictured right), who co-founded the business in 1991, will begin to step back from day to day running of the company over the coming year while continuing to support the business strategically as executive chairman.
Sheppard has held senior positions at Newland Homes since 2011, including planning director and most recently design director, a role he has held for the past three years.
Sheppard side: “Newland Homes has built a reputation for quality, zero carbon homes that put the customers’ and communities’ needs at the centre of design and build, and so I’m honoured to be appointed as managing director designate to lead the company into the next chapter. I am excited to have the opportunity to broaden my responsibilities and work closely with colleagues across all areas of the business.”
Craig Derrick, Persimmon Homes
Persimmon Homes East Wales has appointed Craig Derrick as its new construction director.
The is a return to the company for Derrick: he was previously a contracts manager for the West Wales business for two years. He has since spent a decade working as a senior contracts manager for Barratt David Wilson’s South West division before becoming head of production at Bromford Housing.
He has been in the housebuilding industry since leaving school and completing a trade qualification, joining George Wimpey in 1997 as a trainee site manager, progressing to senior site management before his first stint with Persimmon.
Craig has achieved multiple NHBC Pride in the Job awards, is a member of Chartered Institute of Building, and has several NVQ Levels in Senior Construction Management, and an HNC in Construction Management.
Derrick said: “It is a pleasure to return to Persimmon, and it is privilege to do so in this position.”
Véronique Medcalf, Long Harbour
Long Harbour has appointed Véronique Medcalf as group human resources director.
Medcalf brings extensive international human resources leadership experience across the financial services, real estate and technology sectors. She joins the company from Cromwell Property Group, the global real estate investment manager, where she spent nine years as head of people, Europe and Singapore, most recently guiding the people function through a period of growth and the successful sale of the European business to SWI Group. Medcalf is an affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
She said: “I look forward to working with the leadership team to continue to develop our people strategy, strengthen our talent development capability and support the business with executing its investment strategy.”
James Aumonier, chief operating officer at Long Harbour, said: “Véronique’s appointment underlines the importance we place on our people and on an experienced leadership team as we continue to grow the business.”
Scott Cabot, Bidwells
Bidwells has strengthened its research team with the appointment of Scott Cabot as head of residential research, to work alongside research director Sue Foxley and the wider research team.
He joins from CBRE where he spent 12 years in its UK research team, most recently as head of residential research. Prior to that, Cabot worked for developer Aitch Group having started his career in the financial services sector, with wealth management roles at Standard Chartered Bank and W1M.
Foxley commented: “We are delighted to welcome Scott. He will be instrumental in shaping our residential research strategy, producing thought leadership and market analysis that gives our clients a clearer view of the forces shaping demand, from land and planning through to investment and the living sectors.”
Scott Cabot commented: “Bidwells has built a distinctive research platform, and the opportunity to lead and develop its residential expertise was compelling. The interaction between the UK’s innovation economy and its housing markets is one of the most interesting questions in real estate right now, and the business has a genuine vantage point on which to build.”
Two appointments, Lambert Smith Hampton
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has announced the launch of a dedicated national Living Investment team.
Elle Gray (pictured left) has been appointed national head of Living Investment, leading the firm’s national living sector strategy and client offering, and Jack Robson has been appointed head of Living Investment (Midlands & North).
The dedicated Living Investment team will focus exclusively on the living sector, providing specialist advice across a broad range of asset classes and supporting clients with investment, development and strategic opportunities nationwide.
Gray commented: “I’m delighted to take on this role and continue building relationships across a sector I’ve been passionate about throughout my career. Living is a fast-moving, diverse and rewarding market, and every client and opportunity is different.”
Adam Ramshaw (pictured right), group commercial director of LSH, said: “The appointments of Elle and Jack reflect both the evolving needs of our clients and LSH’s continued commitment to the UK living sector.”
Two appointments, Cluttons
Cluttons has appointed Tom James as partner, head of valuation for the North West, and Chris Moore as associate, valuation, continuing its regional expansion. Both join from Avison Young and will work alongside Chris Weights, partner and Sam Davey, surveyor at the company’s Manchester office.
James brings extensive experience advising national and international lenders, property companies, developers and institutional funds across both the commercial and residential markets in Manchester and the North West. Moore works across a similarly broad client base, including banks, funds and developers.
John Gravett, CEO at Cluttons, said: “Manchester has been dominating the headlines lately, and rightly so. It’s one of the country’s real success stories, and exactly the kind of market we want to be backing. We opened our office here in 2020 and have been growing rapidly ever since, so bringing in talent like Tom and Chris to work alongside the team is a great step forward for us.”
Danielle Keywood, NHBC
NHBC has appointed Danielle Keywood as sector lead for local authorities.
Joining the Customer Relationship team, Keywood will manage and develop relationships with local authorities across the UK, as well as their contractors, combined authorities and other key stakeholders. She joins from Wates, where she held the position of regional social value manager for London. Prior to this she held various roles at Berkeley Group and United Living.
Keywood said: “Local authorities are an essential part of the UK tenure mix and I’m looking forward to developing new relationships in the sector. I’ll be helping local authorities steer through the rapidly changing market, championing high-quality home building and providing the excellent service and guidance the industry has come to expect from NHBC.”
Tim Reid, customer relationship director at NHBC, commented: “I have no doubt Danielle will help us strengthen further our excellent relationships with local authorities. She will drive NHBC’s core purpose of raising standards in home building and our belief that everyone deserves a quality home.”
Jack Kelly, Gateley Legal
Gateley Legal has strengthened its specialist residential development team in the Midlands with the appointment of new partner, Jack Kelly, who will work closely alongside the Birmingham and Nottingham specialist residential development teams
He joins the company’s Birmingham office, bringing more than 12 years’ experience to the team following previous roles with Shakespeare Martineau and Gowling WLG. He has spent his career acting for housebuilders, promoters and landowners on all aspects of residential development. His expertise covers both immediate land acquisition and strategic land development.
Kelly commented: “I’m excited to be joining Gateley Legal, which has a formidable reputation in the industry – acting for some of the biggest housebuilders and promoters, while attracting outstanding talent.”
Andy Wilson, partner and national head of residential development at Gateley Legal, added: “It’s brilliant to have Jack onboard as we continue to invest in the growth of our Midlands offering through the recruitment of exceptional talent.”
Peter Coutts, Wren Contracts
Wren Contracts has appointed Peter Coutts as national sales manager
Coutts brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, having begun his career as a designer and estimator at Paula Rosa Manhattan before progressing into senior sales positions. Most recently, he served as sales director at Armarii, where he oversaw the supply and installation of fitted wardrobe and bathroom cabinetry to the contract market. He also held the prestigious Royal Household account for a number of years, managing projects across the Royal Palaces.
Coutts commented: “I’ve always followed Wren’s growth, so this was a really exciting opportunity. My immediate priority is making sure my team has everything they need to succeed, getting out in front of customers, building those relationships, and delivering results.”
Matthew Lecointe, Grant Westfield
Grant Westfield has announced the appointment of Matthew Lecointe as business development manager for the South West.
Lecointe joined the company at the start of June 2026 and brings with him 10 years’ experience in the KBB industry, all gained within the independent bathroom showroom sector. He has progressed from showroom assistant to showroom manager. Prior to this he was a professional footballer with Plymouth Argyle for five years.
Commenting on his appointment, Lecointe said: “Having worked in the bathroom showroom environment for the past 10 years, I understand the pressures, opportunities and expectations our customers face every day. I’m excited to bring that first-hand experience into my new role with Grant Westfield and to support retailers, merchants and independent showrooms across the South West.
“The brand has a fantastic reputation in the market, and I’m looking forward to working closely with customers and colleagues to help drive continued growth in the region.”
