Who's Rising in UK Housing? This Week's Top Career Moves Revealed!

We take our weekly look at appointments and promotions across the housebuilding industry and its supply chain.

Matt Wilson, The Hill Group

The Hill Group has announced the promotion of Matt Wilson to group technical director.

A key focus of this role will be achieving compliance with the new Future Homes Standard, expected to be published later this year. Wilson will also play a key role in supporting the delivery of Hill’s new five-year business plan, which sets out a strategy for ambitious growth through a focus on mixed-tenure housing and partnership-led development.

He spent 13 years at David Wilson Homes, starting as a trainee, and joined in 2008 as a technical co-ordinator. Most recently, he held the position of technical manager for the Eastern Region.

Andy Hill OBE, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “Matt is a long-standing and highly respected member of our team. His technical expertise, deep understanding of our business, and commitment to quality and innovation will be instrumental as we continue to expand and uphold the high standards of design and sustainability that The Hill Group is known for.”

Lisa Lucas, Harron Homes

Harron Homes Yorkshire has welcomed Lisa Lucas to its recently launched Trueman office in Morley as a sales manager.

She brings with her more than two decades of experience and will now oversee several developments across the Yorkshire region. Originally from Barnsley and now based in Wakefield, Lucas’s career began when she joined a new homes agency while raising her children. Over the years she has worked across a wide range of developments and roles, progressing from on-site sales consultant to sales management, including helping to establish a local housebuilder brand from the ground up.

Lucas commented: “I’ve admired Harron’s homes for years and they’re simply gorgeous. When the opportunity came up, I knew it was the right move.”

Katie Charlesworth, sales and marketing director for Harron Homes Yorkshire, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Lisa to the Harron Homes team. Her deep knowledge of the industry, combined with her energy and people-focused leadership, make her a perfect fit.”

Hope Connolly, Bellway

Hope Connolly has been appointed as area sales manager for Bellway Eastern Counties, overseeing five developments across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk.

Connolly began her working life in PR after leaving school, but became disillusioned with the world of words and took up a job with a housebuilder, selling homes in the London area. She has been a safari guide in South Africa and taught English in Vietnam, but returned to the UK in 2021. She took roles as a senior sales consultant then became head of sales and customer experience at a building supplies company.

She said: “I am very excited about the challenge ahead and have been taking the opportunity to visit the sales teams at all five sites as often as I can. My goal is that my team will be the best performing outfit at Bellway Eastern Counties and help the division move forward and achieve greater success.”

Lee Joyce, Miller Homes

Lee Joyce has been promoted from senior site manager to contracts manager at Northamptonshire-based Miller Homes South Midlands.

His new role follows a successful year for both himself and his team at the Norwood Quarter development.

Joyce said: “The NHBC award win for Norwood Quarter’s on site team was the culmination of a huge team effort and we feel very proud to now have that accolade and become the first award winning group for the South Midlands. I’m now really proud to have rounded off my year personally with a promotion to contracts manager.”

Gavin Jones, regional managing director of Miller Homes South Midlands, said: “Lee is a fantastic example of the calibre of personnel we have within the South Midlands team, which has been formed in a short space of time to achieve huge results for the wider Miller Homes business. [His] promotion is testament to his hard work, dedication and excellence in all aspects of his role.”

Matthew Coyle, Persimmon Homes

Persimmon Homes East Wales has appointed army veteran Matthew Coyle as its new contracts manager.

Having started his career in construction management in 2017, he joins the company following site management roles for David Wilson Homes and Barratt Redrow. His industry experience includes winning several NHBC Pride in the Job awards including Seals of Excellence and the Regional award for Wales.

After leaving school, Glasgow-born Coyle joined the Parachute Regiment, completing two tours of Afghanistan, and then worked in private security in Iraq across a period of years.

He said: “I enjoy the challenge of working for a developer with high standards and having the opportunity to shape the way in which our housing developments are delivered.”

Lee Hawker, managing director of Persimmon Homes East Wales, added: “We’re delighted that Matthew has joined us on the next stage of his career path and we look forward to seeing him grow into the role.”

Ashley Gale, Savills

Savills has bolstered its new homes team with the appointment of Ashley Gale as an associate director at the firm’s Cambridge office.

Gale brings with him 20 years’ experience working in the property sector. He joins from Hopkins Homes, where he was head of sales, and prior to that, worked at Weston Homes for 18 years, with regional housebuilder Hopkins Homes. Prior to that he worked for Weston Homes for 18 years, achieving the position of regional sales director.

He said: “I’m very excited to take this next step in my career – working in what is already a very experienced team, expanding my industry knowledge and collaborating with colleagues across the Eastern region.”

Toby Greenhow, head of Residential Development Sales for Savills in the East of England, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Ashley into the Savills fold. His extensive experience and in-depth understanding of the new homes market will be a real asset to our clients and the wider team.”

Three Appointments, The 1810 Company

Kitchen sinks, taps and accessories specialist The 1810 Company has strengthened its national presence with the appointment of three new regional sales managers (RSMs).

Newly appointed RSMs Sarah Jane Dow, David Dredge and Matt Stevenson each bring valuable experience within the kitchen industry. Dow will be responsible for looking after customers in the North West of England and North Wales, Dredge will oversee South Wales and the South West of England, and Stevenson will support retailers across the East and North East of England.

Managing director Bernhard van Ommen said: “We are delighted to have Sarah Jane, David, and Matt onboard, bringing an abundance of insight and experience to our team. Their appointments reinforce our commitment to our customers, helping us provide the highest level of service and expertise, and supporting our ongoing growth. These appointments are a key part of our strategy to put more salespeople on the road and ensure our customers receive the support they need.”

Picture left to right: David Dredge, Matt Stevenson, Sarah Jane Dow, Bernhard van Ommen