People: SevenHomes; Magma Chartered Accountants; Piper Homes

SevenHomes, the regional housebuilder by SevenCapital Group, has announced the promotion of three of its land and planning team.

Paresh Laxhman has been promoted to land director.

With 21 years industry experience, Laxhman has played an integral role in agreeing terms on development sites throughout Birmingham, Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire to deliver around 700 units. In his new position, Laxhman will be responsible for assisting the wider land team in securing new opportunities and driving growth within SevenHomes’ operational area.

Recently appointed as head of planning, Richard Hodson will be in charge of heading up the planning function across the business’ operating regions including developing and delivering the planning strategy for the business. A Chartered Town Planner with significant experience of representing a large number of national and regional housebuilders, Hodson has played an important role in advising on how to maximise land acquisitions across the operating regions and managing the company’s growing land portfolio.

Finally, Jack Barnes has been promoted to senior land manager. Barnes joined the SevenHomes team in 2020 and has been instrumental in orchestrating a number of deals including the acquisition of a 13-acre residential development site in Frampton on Severn, near Stroud. In his new position, he will be responsible for heading up acquisitions across the South West Midlands region.

Abdul Ali, executive director and head of office at SevenHomes, said: “It is a pleasure to work alongside Paresh, Richard and Jack. Each of them has proven themselves to be an asset to the team, making strong contributions to the business’ growth to date. I’d like to congratulate them on their promotions and look forward to working together to continue to drive the business forward.”

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Magma Chartered Accountants has made several promotions across its audit, tax and business services divisions.

In audit, Ryan Parkin, Matt Norris, and Rebecca Pallett all become senior managers and George Wake is promoted to manager.

In the accounts and business services team, Fiona Porter is promoted to manager and in business tax Liam Meade and Danika Bhakta are promoted to senior manager and assistant manager respectively.

Managing partner Mark Tuckwell said: “These promotions are exceptionally well deserved, being testament to real hard work, excellent client service and displaying the firm’s wider core values over a sustained period. Personal progression is at the very heart of our continued business success and it’s great to see continued recognition of that.”

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Piper Homes has promoted Chantelle Williams to land director.

Williams, who studied a Masters in Town and Regional Planning at the University of Liverpool, joined Piper Homes in 2021 following a stint at Barratt Homes and then Berkeley Group – St Joseph where her real passion for land buying was solidified. She has secured the delivery of just under 4,000 units in the West and East Midlands including regenerating complex brownfield sites.

Williams said: “I am delighted with my promotion which really demonstrates Piper Homes pledge to furthering the careers of women in this traditionally male dominated industry, which is further encouraged by now having three females on the board.  It is apparent that women are in the minority when it comes to the Housebuilding Industry and I feel it is my duty to open pathways for other women and in particular women of colour into the industry. I have been involved as a committee member and member of many organisations such as Women in Property, Women in Construction and Women in Planning which I believe has been a true attribute to my success.”

Tim Nutt, managing director of Piper Homes, said: “Chantelle truly stands out in our industry and is an asset to Piper Homes. Her promotion recognises her brilliant work ethic,  Chantelle’s progressions is testament to demonstrating that women can hold their own in a traditionally male environment.

“There is a growing demand for construction professionals across the industry due to the aging workforce and the need for new infrastructure projects. Women have an opportunity to fill this demand and make their mark in the industry.

“Piper Homes recognises the importance of women in the construction industry in bringing diversity, creativity, and innovation to the field, and their participation can help improve the quality of our projects. We will continue to strive for equality in our workforce and look forward to a more balanced representation in the industry moving forward.”