People: Genesis Homes; Muzinich & Co; {my}dentist; Whitecroft Lighting; Brabners

Penrith housebuilder, Genesis Homes, has restructured its management team to drive its plans for further growth.

Since being founded in 2017, Genesis Homes has grown from a 10-unit per year company to one constructing in excess of 170 new homes during the latest financial year.

To continue its rapid growth, with ambitions to build 300 properties each year by 2028, founder Nicky Gordon has promoted current land director, John Blue, to the position of managing director with responsibility for overseeing the daily operations of the company.

As a result, Nicky has moved into the newly-created post of chief executive and will be responsible for strategic planning, stakeholder relationships and expanding the business across the North West.

Nicky said: “Genesis Homes has grown exponentially, even during the most difficult times of our generation, and we are absolutely thrilled with the progress the company has made and the positive impact it has had on local communities.

“With Cumbria at our heart, we have ambitions to continue our expansion across the North West region and to realise this dream we need a new management structure in place to ensure we can concentrate fully on our growth plans, whilst maintaining the high standards of build quality we have earned a reputation for.

“John has proven himself as an incredibly competent, reliable and integral member of the team, and his knowledge and understanding of the sector, and the company itself, has been instrumental to our growth to date.”

John has worked at Genesis Homes since January 2018, having previously worked at Gleeson Homes, North Associates and PFK.

He joined the company as land and planning manager and was promoted to land director within two years.

John said: “I was immediately excited about Nicky’s ambitions to grow Genesis Homes when he started the company in 2017, and the journey over the past five years has been one that we have all enjoyed sharing. Despite the housing market being severely interrupted during COVID-19, we have grown well beyond our initial expectations and we’re all looking forward to the next five years, and beyond, as we target further growth.”

Genesis Homes is currently operational across nine developments throughout Cumbria and Lancashire, with its EcoGen carbon net zero emitting pilot development in Calthwaite commenced last year.

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Muzinich & Co has appointed Rob Judson to its UK private debt team, covering the North of England, as the firm continues to expand and strengthen its private debt presence.

Rob joins from the Barclays corporate banking division, where he was a relationship director and responsible for originating new business and supporting the structuring and execution of debt transactions in the technology, media and telecoms sectors.

Rob Judson

He said: “I’m excited to be joining such an active and regionally focused lower middle market private debt team. I’m looking forward to helping source and arrange growth financing opportunities, and in doing so support businesses in the North and beyond.”

James Adams, director for Muzinich UK Private Debt, said: “Rob is a great addition to the team and reflects our commitment to continuing to invest in the North of England and our wider private debt platform.

“The team has been extremely busy over the last 12 months, completing a number of high quality new transactions while continuing to support our portfolio companies in their growth aspirations.

“Rob’s appointment will further strengthen our capabilities as we look to build on this positive momentum into 2023.”

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Kearsley-based {my}dentist has appointed a new executive chairman and a new chief executive from within the company to continue accelerating its long term growth plans.

After nearly six years as chief executive, Tom Riall will take on the new role of executive chairman from April 1, 2023, leading the company’s overall strategy and chairing the {my}dentist board. The current board chairman, Kevin Beeston, will become an independent non-executive director.

Nilesh Pandya, the current deputy chief executive and former chief financial officer, has been appointed as chief executive to take overall responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance of the business and the execution of the {my}dentist three-year plan.

Nilesh Pandya

Outgoing CEO, Tom Riall, said: “After nearly six years at the helm of this fantastic business, I am delighted to be taking on the new role of executive chairman and handing over the reins to Nilesh Pandya, who I look forward to continuing to work with as we deliver on our three-year plan.

“During my time as chief executive, I have been fortunate to work with an outstanding team across {my}dentist and it is a result of their constant hard work that the business is in such a strong position today.

“We have achieved an enormous amount in the last six years and our three-year plan is designed to build on that success. With Nilesh in the role of chief executive, and supported by our proven management team, I am certain that we will succeed in this aim.”

Incoming chief executive, Nilesh Pandya, said: “This is an outstanding business with a fantastic team in place at every level of the organisation and a proven track record over the last six years.

“I look forward to continuing to work with our existing management team, and our new executive chairman, as we deliver on this important plan and take advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead.”

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North West based commercial lighting manufacturer, Whitecroft Lighting, has appointed Phill Lever as its new national sales director.

Following an extensive search and selection process, Whitecroft elected to promote from within, with Phill assuming the role following a year as a strategic account director, and 17 years in the business in total across various roles.

Phill Lever

Phill said: “As well as maintaining Whitecroft’s market leading position in education, healthcare, and commercial lighting, I’m ambitious to further grow our presence in other key strategic areas, particularly our low carbon and reduced waste lighting propositions.

“There are sizeable opportunities for growth in this area, but we need to be both engaged and resourced to achieve our goals, so I will also be overseeing an expansion of Whitecroft’s national sales team.”

David Serif, managing director at Whitecroft, said: “I’m really pleased that Phill was the successful candidate and finished ahead of some highly experienced sales professionals from across lighting and construction.

“I know from working closely with Phill that his knowledge of lighting, along with his strong sense of purpose, will be a big asset to Whitecroft as we develop new markets and opportunities.”

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Independent law firm Brabners has further strengthened its real estate practice with the appointment of environmental law specialist, Rob Biddlecombe.

Rob joins the firm’s real estate group as partner, having previously spent the majority of his career at Squire Patton Boggs and, more recently, DAC Beachcroft.

Rob brings more than 20 years’ experience and has particular expertise in advising on environmental issues affecting the built environment, including contaminated land, environmental permitting and waste management. He also specialises in sustainability issues affecting retailers, manufacturers and supply chains, such as producer responsibility, greenwashing and plastic packaging tax.

Rob’s appointment will strengthen Brabners’ real estate team, which is one of the largest in the North of England and has advised on some of the most strategically important infrastructure projects across the region, including Everton FC’s new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, Eden Project North and Wirral Waters.

Nik White, left, and Rob Biddlecombe

Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Our real estate team continues to support the high levels of development driving growth in the city regions we call home and beyond.

“Infrastructure investment remains one of the key tools to unlocking productivity in the regions and across the UK, and Rob’s specialist skillset will enhance our existing offering, building our capability and better enabling us to support our clients as they address ever increasing environmental related legal issues which lie ahead, including in relation to net zero and climate change, greenwashing and plastic packaging and waste.”

Rob Biddlecombe said: “The pedigree of Brabners’ real estate team coupled with the pathway the firm provides for ambitious senior lawyers made my move here hugely appealing. It’s a pleasure to be working alongside those advising on some of the region’s biggest schemes and, as an environmental lawyer, I’m delighted to be at a firm which is so eager to embrace the responsibilities and opportunities which naturally follow having secured its B-Corp certification last year.”

Brabners recently completed relocations for both its Lancashire and Manchester teams to new Grade A office spaces. The firm also recently launched its new Yorkshire office at 1 City Square, Leeds.