We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Karrina Oki, Fernham Homes
Fernham Homes has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Karrina Oki as sales and marketing director.
She joins with extensive experience gained across some of the UK’s leading premium residential brands, including Berkeley Group. Her appointment follows that of technical director Glenn Holliday, who joins with over 20 years’ experience in roles across Redrow and Kent County Council.
Oki commented: “As my home, Kent is a place I know well and I’m thrilled to be part of a company and communities that I’m passionate about, both professionally and personally. I’m looking forward to working with the team to support the next phase of growth and help more customers discover what makes Fernham Homes different.”
Sean Ellis, managing director of Fernham Homes, added: “Looking ahead, Karrina will play a pivotal role in delivering our growth plans as we continue to scale the business. Just as importantly, she will help ensure we do so while remaining true to the core values that define us.”
Graham Hutton, Baker Estates
Baker Estates has appointed Graham Hutton as managing director, taking over from founder Ian Baker, who takes up the position of executive director.
Hutton was previously deputy managing director and brings extensive experience across the housebuilding sector. He joined Baker Estates in 2016 as development director, being promoted operations director in 2021 before becoming deputy MD. He has also held senior roles at Midas Homes and Linden Homes, where he was group technical director.
Hutton commented: “I’m delighted to take on the role of Managing Director. Having been part of Baker Estates’ journey for nearly a decade, I’ve seen first-hand how much the business has achieved, and I’m hugely excited about what we can accomplish in the years ahead.”
Baker said of Hutton: “He has played a significant role in shaping the business into what it is today, and I have every confidence in his ability to take the operation forward and achieve even greater success.”
Three appointments, Greencore Homes
Greencore Homes has strengthened its senior leadership team with three appointments: Helen Todd as sales and marketing director; Robert Davidson as finance director; and Trevor Wicks as operations director.
Todd (pictured left) brings more than 30 years’ experience across sales, marketing and the new homes sector, recently in sales and marketing director roles at Antler Homes and Deanfield Homes, having founded and led Stubbings Property Marketing for more than 15 years.
A qualified accountant and experienced in corporate finance and the public sector, Davidson (pictured centre) joins having been finance director at Deanfield Homes, prior to this working at Rectory Homes.
Wicks (pictured right) joins from Vistry Group, where he spent eight years in managing director roles across the Thames Valley and Southern regions, having joined Linden Homes in 2018.
Helen Moore, chair of Greencore Homes, said: “Helen, Robert and Trevor’s sector knowledge will be invaluable as we scale up the business, helping us navigate challenges, while delivering high quality, sustainable homes in greater numbers.”
Two appointments, Grant Westfield
Grant Westfield has continued to build its regional sales team with the appointment of two new business development managers.
Luke Holmwood (pictured left) has joined the business covering Sussex, Surrey and South West London, having previously spent just over two years as area sales manager for Classic Marble (Showers), where he focused on building merchant and showroom networks and driving regional sales growth.
He said: “I’m really excited to get out into the patch, meet our existing customers and new prospective accounts. Joining a business with such a strong reputation for design and quality is fantastic.”
Darren Gardiner (pictured right) has been appointed for the South Central region. He joins from City Plumbing, where he spent just over two-and-a-half years as showroom manager.
He said: “I’m really excited to join Grant Westfield. My main priority is to get out into the region, meet customers and build strong, long-term relationships. I want to use my experience within the bathroom industry to help grow the business while providing excellent service and support.”
Sayyam Mughal, Prosperity Vita
Birmingham-based Prosperity Vita has named its new chief executive. Sayyam Mughal, previously chief operating officer, takes up the role with immediate effect.
He joined the Homes England investment partner at its Jewellery Quarter headquarters in 2017 and has held several finance and commercial roles across the group, including financial controller and commercial lead.
Mughal said: “I am pleased to be taking on the role of chief executive at Prosperity Vita, having been part of the business since its early days. Our focus will be on growing in a way that is sustainable and well governed, so that the homes we deliver are of a high standard and well managed for the long term.
“Birmingham and the wider West Midlands will be an important focus for us, and I look forward to working with local authorities, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Homes England and our partners to help deliver much-needed affordable and social homes in the region.”
Zara Oatey, Roca Group
Roca Group UK & Ireland has announced that Zara Oatey has been appointed offsite specification manager, responsible for growing business with the group’s existing accounts and developing opportunities with new partners.
She will work closely with both Roca Group’s internal teams and the wider business to support all offsite specification activity.
Oatey brings significant experience to her new position, having led specification activity across the North of England for the past 18 months.
Jon Bond, project sales director at Roca Group, commented: “Specification continues to be a key growth area for our business, and Zara has already made a significant contribution in this space. Her experience leading specification activity across the North of England, combined with her strong customer relationships, makes her ideally suited to this role. I’m confident she will continue to thrive and achieve great success.”
Maisie Taylor, The Habitat Bank
Leicestershire-based The Habitat Bank has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new biodiversity coordinator.
Maisie Taylor joins the firm to support the ecological side of the business, including the delivery and ongoing habitat management of all bank sites, as well as GIS mapping.
She said: “I did my degree in Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation at the University of Suffolk and this set me on the path to BNG. This role with The Habitat Bank allows me to explore this relationship further, as well as contribute to creating and managing habitats that will protect and enhance the natural environment, so it’s definitely a win win!”
Simon Kirk, The Habitat Bank’s operations manager, added: “With more sites coming forward, the timing was right to bring Maisie on board to focus on habitat delivery and management, and she’s already proving to be a great support to landowners.”
Elly Hoult, Lifestone Homes
Elly Hoult has been appointed chief executive officer by Lifestone Homes, to commence the role on 1 April 2027. She is currently chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at Peabody.
Hoult, who was previously president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “Having grown up in a council house, I know how transformative a good home can be, providing the foundation for a better future. I’m excited to be joining Lifestone Homes at this time. I’m really looking forward to getting started and helping to establish Lifestone as one of the highest-performing housing associations in the country.”
Chair of the board Richard Moriarty said: “The appointment of Elly marks an exciting new chapter for Lifestone Homes. Elly impressed the board with her clear vision for the future, exceptional leadership skills and passion for making a meaningful difference through social housing. Her extensive experience and ability to inspire high-performing teams made her the standout candidate in a very strong field.”
George Davey, Chestertons
Chestertons has promoted George Davey to head of land, development and investment.
Davey previously oversaw land and development activity in the agency’s North and East London region. He joined the company in August 2024 as director of East London developments, focusing on residential schemes across East and South East London.
In all, Davey has almost 20 years of property industry experience, incusing almost ten years at Stirling Ackroyd, where he served as managing director of land and new homes.
Davey said: “The best new homes strategies begin long before a development launches. Developers need to understand a site’s potential, what buyers will want and how the finished homes should be priced and presented.
“I’m excited to take on a broader role that brings those decisions together. Having worked across land and new homes for many years, I know how valuable it is for clients to have clear advice from the first opportunity through to the final sale.”
