Property people: Sky-House Co and Housing 21

Sky-House Co, a Sheffield-based house-builder, has recruited a new operations director.

Ryan Ratcliffe previously ran his own contracting business in Leeds and latterly worked for Gleeson Homes.

His appointment comes as Sky-House Co is forming a new HQ for the business at Centenary Works on the River Sheaf, with plans to grow the head office and technical teams to support its expansion.

Work on Sky-House at the Waverley Regeneration site, close to both Rotherham and Sheffield, has continued throughout lockdown with the completion of 44 Sky-Houses, a 21st-century take on the traditional back-to-back Victorian house.

Future projects include 40 riverside homes at Oughtibridge Mill and seven homes at Fox Valley, alongside phase two of the Waverley development, where a further 44 Sky-House homes will be built.

The company is also currently in the process of acquiring a site for an additional 57 homes in Sheffield city centre.

The Sky-House Co was founded by architect David Cross and accountant Philip Prince.

Prince said: “Ryan adds a new dimension to the team to help us grow the business and deliver our pipeline in full control.

“It’s an exciting time for us after a slow and frustrating start but strong sales and new projects are testament to our brand positioning.”

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Housing 21’s new Extra Care Living scheme on Raikes Road in Skipton has recruited its housing manager ahead of opening in summer 2021.

Beverley Sanderson, who previously managed a portfolio of 20 housing schemes, has been appointed at Eller Beck Court – the new development currently under construction by The Casey Group.

The scheme, which is being developed by Housing 21 in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, will provide 58 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership.

It will offer people over the age of 55 a range of services and facilities including a 24-hour on-site care team for those who need it, a café/bistro, hair salon and communal lounge which is also available to the local community – subject to social distancing rules at the time.

Building work began for the new scheme in March 2019 and future residents are expected to move into their new homes in summer 2021.

Sanderson has over 11 years’ experience in housing and has covered everything from customer service to home ownership and portfolio management of multiple housing schemes, much like Eller Beck Court.

Her role will see her become the first point of contact for expert assistance and support on housing and other matters, including entitlement to benefits.

She said: “I am thoroughly enjoying getting settled into my new role at Eller Beck Court. I moved to Skipton earlier this year but I know the area quite well due to visiting regularly.

“I’m looking forward to learning more now that I both live and work here.

“As the scheme is currently under construction, my work mainly involves pulling together information packs for prospective residents at the moment.

“It has been great to meet so many local people and to see this development continue to progress into what I know will be a fantastic Extra Care scheme.

“I can’t wait for the interior designers to start waving their magic wands to transform the interior into a modern, sleek building with specialist design features which also support people living with dementia.”