Property people: Wharfedale Homes; Artium Group; Manningham Housing Association; and more
Wharfedale Homes has confirmed a senior promotion within its site management team with the promotion of site manager Graham Oldfield to contracts manager.
His new role sees him take responsibility for the company’s sites, from pre-construction to completion and after sales.
This key role helps to drive productivity, quality, and sales for Knaresborough-headquartered Wharfedale Homes on its growing portfolio of housing developments across Yorkshire.
Oldfield manages the ongoing operation at Wharfedale Homes’ flagship Eskdale View 62-home development in Whitby which has now completed construction of its first tranche of homes.
He has worked for Wharfedale Homes for five years, starting as an assistant site manager in 2018, and was quickly promoted to site manager in 2019.
His new role sees him take overall management responsibility for on-site contractors and overall construction related activities within the business.
Prior to working for Wharfedale Homes, he owned a joinery company which supported Wharfedale Homes as a client.
Land director Matt Gibson said: “We are thrilled to see Graham take this next step in what is a vitally important role in delivering the quality developments Wharfedale Homes is known for.
“Graham’s attention to detail and management skills have been crucial in meeting construction deadlines for our flagship Eskdale View development in Whitby.”
Oldfield added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to progress my career within a niche, bespoke housebuilder that Wharfedale Homes has become and support the delivery of our new homes across Yorkshire, ensuring they are of the highest standards and finish.”
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Artium Construction has made two senior appointments to lead the business.
Martin Watson and Joe McDermott have joined the construction subsidiary of growing Harrogate-based Artium Group from GMI Construction Group.
Watson joins as managing director and shareholder and McDermott as director and shareholder.
The pair join Garry Shaw, who was appointed director and shareholder of Artium Construction last year, with the trio having 60 years’ collective senior construction industry experience.
They will work with the board of directors across the group to build a £50m turnover construction business over the next five years.
Shaw said: “We have a current order book of £12m for our first year of operation including conversion of a three-storey office building in York to create 31 apartments, a mixed-use development in the centre of York, converting an existing building and new-build three storey building to create nine apartments and two commercial units, an office to residential conversion to create 12 apartments in Harrogate and conversion of an existing school to four luxury townhouses in Ripon.
“The addition of both Martin and Joe will have a transformative impact on our already established business, enhancing our capabilities and further bolstering our current pipeline.”
Watson said: “Artium Group has a growing reputation in the marketplace; therefore, this is a fantastic opportunity for the three of us to grow the construction business and develop an experienced team, with a genuine opportunity to influence and shape our vision of becoming the contractor of choice in the North of England across our target markets.
“Artium Construction shares each of our personal values and approach to construction best practice, promoting a robust safety and environmental policy on every project, ensuring quality from design to completion.
“As experts in development planning and delivery, our knowledge and supply chain partners facilitate our ability to provide best value, meet client programmes and budgets whilst exceeding expectations.”
Watson will oversee all company operations, strategic planning, project management, financial stewardship, and team leadership.
McDermott will take up the responsibilities for tendering, pre-construction negotiating and commercial governance,
He has a track record successfully delivering a mix of schemes from design concept to construction delivery, supporting business growth and enhancing value for money.
Sam Colley, director and co-owner of Artium Group, alongside Thomas Shotton, added: “Garry, Joe and Martin possess outstanding and pragmatic experience in every dimension of construction.
“Their reputation as dynamic, conscientious, and results-orientated professionals precedes them.
“The calibre of these appointments underscores our commitment and capabilities in delivering end-to-end solutions, providing our clients and investors with the utmost confidence in our ability.”
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Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has appointed Rupert Pometsey as chair of the Board.
He will replace Barrington Billings who steps down in December after more than six years in the role.
Pometsey, a chartered architect, is currently vice-chair and has more than two decades of senior level experience as a housing development and asset management professional.
He has delivered homes at a capital cost of over £1bn and is a former Board member and chair of the development company at Ongo Homes in North Lincolnshire.
HE is currently working for the London Borough of Haringey on the delivery of an ambitious new generation of council homes.
Pometsey said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as MHA chair. The association continues to go from strength-to-strength and has developed a really positive reputation locally, regionally and nationally.
“It is especially admired for its community investment activities and its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
“I feel privileged to receive the baton from Barrington who is a totemic figure in the housing sector and who it has been an honour to serve alongside as vice-chair.”
Lee Bloomfield, MHA chief executive, said: “Rupert’s deep knowledge of housing, his familiarity with MHA and his range of professional skills made him the outstanding candidate for the position.
“I know he will do a fantastic job in the years ahead.
“On behalf of the senior management team, I wish to pay tribute to Barrington who has led the Board so impressively – particularly during the dark days of the pandemic when morale could have dipped, but never did.”
Billings added: “I am so pleased to welcome Rupert to the role, which I regard as one of the best in the country.
“Manningham Housing Association has become such an integral part of my life over the past number of years.
“The dedication and commitment of my Board colleagues and staff is second to none. They do what they do to make lives better and succeed in that task every single day.”
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JLL has confirmed that director Tom Brammeld has re-joined its Leeds office agency team.
He joined JLL in 2006, initially working in the Leeds office and more recently in the Central London markets team.
During his time in London, he has primarily focused on the West End office market and has undertaken some of the sector’s most high-profile leasing transactions for client’s including Sellar, Royal London, REM, Lazari, Alduwaliya, London & Oriental and Kennedy Wilson.
Brammeld will join JLL’s established office agency team in Leeds to advise developers, landlords and occupiers across Yorkshire and the North East.
The five-strong team is presently appointed on a range of prestigious leasing mandates including Wellington Place and White Rose Office Park in Leeds and Maker and Faber in Sunderland.
Jeff Pearey, head of UK regional office agency at JLL, said: “I am excited to welcome Tom back to the fold, having first begun working together in 2004.
“We will undoubtedly benefit from his inherent knowledge of the region and the depth of his expertise and understanding of national trends and shifts that are impacting the office market from his time in London.
“JLL’s commitment to the continued growth and development of our people has ensured we have the right talent to take on new opportunities and I look forward to seeing the team grow with the addition of Tom.”
Tom McWilliams, head of Yorkshire and the North East at JLL, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Tom back to Leeds, where he will play a key role in the ongoing growth of our office agency team.
“The region’s office market continues to evolve to deliver some of the UK’s best in class developments that cater for the changing needs of occupiers – particularly with regards to ESG credentials and amenity offer.
“JLL continues to be at the forefront of advising landlords and occupiers to ensure they find the right solutions, which in turn will drive growth across the region, and Tom’s arrival will ensure we can continue to offer unparalleled advice.”
