Property People: Conroy Brook; Garness Jones; Switalskis; Needle; Landwood
YORKSHIRE based developer Conroy Brook has recruited a new construction director to help deliver a number of major projects as the firm enters an exciting phase of business growth.
John Rodda joins Conroy Brook from Persimmon Homes where he worked for seven years following his previous position at Ben Bailey Homes. As construction director, Rodda has delivered some of the country’s largest and most complex housing projects, leading teams across the UK.
At Conroy Brook, Rodda will be heading up a number of key pipeline projects including forthcoming joint venture developments with Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water. He will also be delivering a number of large-scale housing schemes currently in the planning process.
Rodda said: “Conroy Brook has a strong reputation for customer service and quality product. The firm has maintained its family values throughout its organic growth and it is a great time to be joining the team due to the exciting high quality projects coming through the pipeline. I am looking forward to drawing on my experience of delivering large-scale projects to work closely with the team on bringing the developments to fruition. The regional house building sector is picking up its pace and Conroy Brook is well placed at the forefront of Yorkshire development.”
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CHARTERED surveyors Garness Jones has strengthened its industrial team with the appointment of Eamonn Stones.
Eamonn Stones, a chartered surveyor and registered valuer, returns to Yorkshire after seven years working in Bedfordshire with Kirkby & Diamond chartered surveyors and property consultants.
The Hull-based practice has been appointed by the Homes & Communities Agency to market sites in Burma Drive, Hull, in partnership with Lambert Smith Hampton. New-build opportunities include sites at Melton Park, Priory Park and The Beacon, where Garness Jones will soon announce details of the relocation of a major local business into 10,000 sq ft of brand new office accommodation.
Stones said: “There is plenty of activity in the commercial property market at the moment and a lot of that is down to the size of Hull and its industrial history – there is no shortage of commercial land and premises.
“The opportunities and activities here compared with the south are far bigger in terms of land and buildings. There are new sites which are earmarked for employment and there is historic stock which has been in use for many years and which is finding its way back on to the market.
“It all adds up to promote the region as a place which offers opportunities and is ready to grow. The publicity around Siemens and City of Culture is making people take notice of Hull, and the property scenario gives them a chance to be a part of it.”
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SWITALSKIS Solicitors has appointed three new conveyancers to its property law team.
Richard Wisnia has moved from Levi Solicitors and is based in the Leeds office of the firm. In Halifax, licensed conveyancer, Stephanie Boocock, has now joined the team and in York, Fiona Gibson, a chartered legal executive joins.
The ten-strong conveyancing team now covers seven locations across Yorkshire: Wakefield, Dewsbury, Leeds, Huddersfield, Halifax, Pontefract and York.
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NEEDLE, the Leeds-based law firm, has announced the addition of commercial property lawyer Colin Dixon to its property team.
Dixon said: “ I am excited to be joining Needle as I wanted to be part of a full service commercial law firm so that I could assist my clients beyond their property needs.”
Sharon Needle, managing partner of Needle said: “With the economic upturn, we are hoping for a corresponding upturn in both commercial and residential property transactions. We are very excited to have Colin join the Needle team. I am certain that together, we will be able to grow as a firm and continue to provide exceptional service to our clients.”
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THE former chairman and chief executive of Countrywide, Harry Hill, has joined chartered surveyors, asset managers and auctioneers the Landwood Group as a non-executive director.
Mark Bailey, a director of the Landwood Group, which has offices in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London, said: “This is a tremendous coup for us. Harry Hill’s expertise, network and experience will be invaluable to us. We have worked with Harry on an informal basis in the past and we are now delighted to welcome him aboard in a more official capacity.”
Hill ran Countrywide for 20 years before selling the company for £1bn to USA-based Apollo. During those 20 years, Rightmove was created and floated, while Chesnara Plc was spun out of the group.
