Developer to build on success with newly-created role

Regeneration specialist Wavensmere Homes has appointed Olivia Smith into the newly-created role of private client relationship manager.

Smith will be responsible for nurturing the housebuilder’s customer sales relationships, with £1bn of new homes due to be launched, or in planning.

She joins Wavensmere Homes from Derby-based Ashley Adams Estate Agents, where she was based for close to four years, having been promoted into the role of sales account manager. Previously, Smith was a new homes sales negotiator for Spicer Haart. She transitioned into a new homes sales role with the national estate agency brand in 2019, having started her career as a senior lettings negotiator for Connells Estate Agents, based in Lichfield.

Wavensmere Homes is constructing three major urban regeneration schemes, in central Birmingham, Derby city centre, and Ipswich, and has five further projects in the immediate pipeline. The business and its associated special purpose vehicles (SPVs) completed 522 houses and apartments during 2023, achieving a turnover of £100m for its financial year, ending 31st December. Some 500 homes are being delivered this year, which will result in a 2024 turnover of £115m.

James Dickens, managing director for Wavensmere Homes, said: “Olivia has sold our homes at consecutive developments across the Midlands during the past five years. While working for us indirectly, she has been a great company ambassador and understands our ethos and vision.

“During Olivia’s career to date, she has sold over 300 new houses and apartments. While doing so, she has grown her own investor platform, establishing and maintaining relationships with purchasers that loyally follow her from site to site.

“We have structured this newly-created role around Olivia’s skillset, as she has a strong appreciation of the importance of client relationships. Her commitment to meeting individual requirements and investment goals underpins Wavensmere’s customer journey, but by selling via a third-party agent, there is a risk this can be diluted. Olivia’s timely appointment will enable us to take a more strategic approach to the sales launches for our upcoming developments.”

Smith said: “I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic housebuilding business that is leading the way nationally for the delivery of new homes on brownfield land. The consequential ripple effect Wavensmere’s transformational projects have on the wider area are enabling investors to reap much higher returns than other comparative residential investments.

“Despite the challenges the industry has faced, it has been a joy to see how the Wavensmere brand has accrued a loyal following over recent years. This is testament to the build quality, value for money, customer care, and the dedication and significant investment to placemaking and provision of on-site community amenities. I am excited to take the leap to an in-house role and take on the responsibility for working with Wavensmere’s existing database of 500 committed investors.”