Property people: Yorkshire Country Properties and Clarion

Huddersfield-based Yorkshire Country Properties (YCP) has strengthened its senior sales team with four key appointments.

Closely following the appointment of Paul Brown as managing director, a brand-new senior sales team is now in place.

YCP is currently on site with prime West Yorkshire residential developments at Shepley, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale.

The team comprises: Sam McGregor, Sam Baldaro, Kate Carter and Kirsty Watts.

McGregor, head of sales, said: “We are currently building 147 beautiful, high-quality homes and, in total, we are looking at a potential pipeline of over 700 new homes.  

“Given the current uncertainty of the mortgage and financial markets, we are placing more emphasis than ever on high quality and product differentiation.

“During the past three years, the company has made a positive and focussed contribution to the housing provision in the Kirklees and West Yorkshire area.

“Apart from a completed development at Netherthong, Holmfirth, where every single one of the 22 beautiful houses built were sold, we have either sold or reserved 40 houses on our other three sites.

“Clearly, the current state of the housing market presents challenges, but we are confident the quality of our houses combined with the enthusiasm and commitment of our wonderful team here at YCP will enable us to continue to deliver the kind of homes that are needed across all demographics in Yorkshire.”

Baldaro has joined Yorkshire Country Properties from Vistry (formerly known as Bovis) for seven years and she has worked with numerous leading housebuilders for the past 15 years.

She said: “My role at YCP is to oversee the sales progression for all of our purchasers, being the main point of contact and guiding them through the legal and financial process.

“I’m on hand to ensure their journey from placing their reservation through to legal completion and moving into their new home is as smooth and seamless as possible.

“The market has been hugely unstable over the last 12 months with rises in interest rates and decreasing valuations.

“We are in a very strong position though, we have some very popular developments which offer a premium build and attractive living spaces, this serves us well with the current conditions.”

Carter has a background in student, professional and commercial property management, sales and lettings and previously lived and worked in Manchester city centre, while Watts, who is from Sheffield has a wealth of experience in customer service.

Brown said: “This talented new sales team is committed to making YCP the very best housebuilder in West Yorkshire.

“Their experience and expertise will prove invaluable and I am very lucky and proud to have such an excellent team to support me in growing our company and achieving our targets.

“All three of these new developments are providing much-needed housing, including a significant number of starter homes, enabling young people to get on to the property ladder.”

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Senior associate Deirdre Lindsay has joined Clarion’s 52-strong real estate practice as it continues to expand.

Having spent the last six years at a national listed law firm, working as part of its residential development team, she further strengthens Clarion’s offering.

She has experience of advising housebuilders, landowners and developers, large and small, across Yorkshire and nationally.

Her expertise includes advising clients on strategic land acquisitions, conditional contracts and she acts on sales to affordable housing providers.

Lindsay has also gained general commercial real estate experience and has advised clients on landlord and tenant matters.

Lindsay Texel, partner, who leads Clarion’s residential development team, said: “We already have a strong reputation in residential development and have been looking for the right person to grow the team and enable us to support continuing client demand.

“With her excellent track record in this field, Deirdre is a great fit, giving us additional resource at a senior level.”

Lindsay said: “Having gained a solid grounding in residential development work, I was really looking for something a little different and wanted to move to a firm with a collaborative approach.

“Not only does Clarion have one of the largest and most respected real estate practices in Yorkshire, but it has a really positive culture where people are genuinely valued and go out of their way to support one another.”