Redrow set for East Midlands push
Housebuilding giant Redrow is set to make a push into the East Midlands after appointing a new managing director for the Midlands.
James Poynor has been appointed managing director of Redrow Homes’ Midlands division, based in Tamworth.
His remit includes developing the company’s strong presence in the West Midlands, whilst also identifying new opportunities for growth in the East of the patch.
Poynor joins Redrow from Countrywide, where he was group residential development director, overseeing its planning, land, consultancy, new homes sales and investment arms in the new homes sector both in the UK and Hong Kong.
His arrival at Redrow signals a return to the housebuilder sector, having previously spent almost three years as a sales director for Barratt.
“I originally joined Countrywide in 2010 to be managing director of their Land and New Homes business. As a non-estate agent, I was specifically recruited for my developer background so that I could use my knowledge, skills and experience to grow and enhance the company’s offering to housebuilders,” Poynor explained.
“After six years building that business and overseeing a number of acquisitions and restructures, I was keen to return to an in-house position within the new homes sector and, through my experience of dealing with just about every one of the country’s housebuilders, I very quickly identified Redrow as the place I’d like to be.
“They have a strong management team – still led by the business founder Steve Morgan – an excellent culture and a product that is second to none. Their homes are simply stunning.”
Poynor says he is keen to see the Tamworth based division grow its presence in the East Midlands: “We have a very strong presence in the West Midlands, plus a cluster of sites in the Leicester area, but I would like to see us pushing further east into Nottinghamshire and perhaps Derbyshire with new land acquisitions. These are areas where we have built successfully before and are perfect for Redrow’s product.”
Currently commuting from South Yorkshire, Poyner hopes to relocate to the Nottingham area,from where his wife Sarra hails and the city where he acquired a first class BA honours degree in business studies at Nottingham Trent University – “Another reason for us to acquire some sites in that part of the Midlands. I absolutely want to live in a Redrow home!”
Redrow regional chief executive Matthew Pratt said: “It’s great to have someone of James’ calibre on board. His wider experience outside the new homes sector will be an asset but, at the same time, he has a broad knowledge and experience of sales, land and planning right across the new homes market, encompassing all of the major developers and the whole of the UK.”
