We take our weekly look at some of the appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.
Ross Stoddart, Ida Homes
Ross Stoddart has been appointed construction manager at the Northumberland-based homebuilder. Qualifying as a plumber, then followed a different career path and went to work in the offshore oil and gas sector. He then returned to his home town of Morpeth and started to work for a local housebuilding company as an assistant manager.
Chloe Lyons, Bewley Homes
Bewley Homes has promoted Chloe Lyons to head of customer services She joined the company in 2020 as customer support manager and has over five years’ experience in the construction sector. She has previously held customer service management roles at a national PLC housebuilder and a registered provider.
Geoff Raw, Be First
Be First, the regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council, has announced that Geoff Raw will be joining in May as the new managing director. He has been chief executive and head of paid service for Brighton & Hove City Council since 2015, previously director of environment, development & housing.
Three appointments, Barratt David Wilson
Three long-standing construction employees in Norfolk have earned a director status with Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia. Dave Martin has been promoted to construction director; Alison Page moves from head of sales to sales director; and Simeon Nelson has achieved a new role of technical director.
Michelle Hyde, Backhouse
Backhouse has appointed Michelle Hyde as its new development director. With over two decades in the industry, she joins from her previous role as head of land and planning at housing association Abri, and her extensive experience also includes spells with Stonewater, Linden Homes, and Galliford Try.
Two appointments, The Wee House Group
The Wee House Group has appointed Richard Reid and Emma Robertson as (acting) chief executive officer and chief financial officer respectively. Current CEO Jennifer Higgins goes on maternity leave at the end of the month. Robertson said: “I am really excited to work with Richard and the teams across the business.”
Neelam Saihjpal, Centrick
Centrick has appointed Neelam Saihjpal as its director of build to rent. She has 20 years’ experience as a property professional. In 2009, she joined Watkin Jones Construction and worked on launching student-facing management platform Fresh Student Living. Since then, she has worked in senior operational roles at CRM Students.
Zoe Ball, Prospect Homes
Prospect Homes has welcomed senior sales executive Zoe Ball to support company growth plans. Prior to starting in the new homes industry seven years ago, Zoe was a semi-professional dressage rider. She commented: “I’m a firm believer in people buying from a person, rather than a company.”
Three appointments, AJC Group
Dorset-based affordable housing specialist AJC Group has announced a trio of recent internal promotions. John Langley has been promoted to head of commercial; Mike Young has been named head of construction; and Tarek Tabbah, who joined as technical manager in 2021, and has now been promoted to head of technical.
Two appointments, Amro Partners
Amro Partners has strengthened its senior leadership team with two key promotions. Within the UK Build to Rent leadership team, Tom Donnachie (pictured) has been promoted to managing director, UK Investment, and Stephen Hole has been promoted to managing director, UK Development.
Alex Leigh, Savills
Savills has announced that residential development sales director Alex Leigh has been appointed as its new head of office in Chelmsford, taking over the reins from Stephen White. Leigh joined Savills Chelmsford at the start of 2020 and said: “It is a real privilege to take the next step and lead our exceptional team here in Chelmsford.”
Ian Gracie, Drum Property Group
Drum Property Group has promoted Ian Gracie to the role of construction director, taking over from Gordon Milne who has moved to the group’s newly created role of technical director. Gracie has been with the company since 2019 and has nearly 20 years’ experience working across the residential, commercial, leisure, retail and public sectors.
Vince Gunn, Harvey Jones
British kitchen brand Harvey Jones has announced the appointment of Vince Gunn as chief executive officer. He joins the Group from Snug.com where he spent two years as managing firector. Prior to that, he held a number of leadership and senior managerial roles at companies including Body Shop UK, Crocs Europe, Sofa.com and Blackwell.
