Build-to-rent specialist Placefirst has appointed two property heavyweights as the firm continues its ambitious expansion plans.
Joining the board as chairman is St Modwen veteran Bill Oliver while Kier鈥檚 David Mawson joins the company as CEO.
Bill and David will begin in early March, taking over from David Smith-Milne, Placefirst鈥檚 founder.
Bill, a veteran of the housebuilding market with over 35 years鈥 experience, currently serves as non-executive deputy chairman of Churchill Retirement and non-executive director of Safestore Holdings.
Bill retired from the board of FTSE 250 property developer St Modwen in 2016, having joined as finance director in 2000 before stepping up the role of CEO four years later.
Prior to St Modwen, he held roles at Barratt Developments, Alfred McAlpine, The Rutland Group and Dwyer Estates.
David joins from Kier Group where he latterly led the group鈥檚 FM Business, Housing Maintenance Business and Environmental Business.
Prior to Kier, David held a number of director roles at Connaught and Wharfedale Developments and had a voluntary position as a聽 non-executive board member of Community Gateway Housing Association.
Placefirst has delivered over 500 homes across the north of England, specialising in transforming neglected inner-urban neighbourhoods through innovative refurbishment, development and a commitment to community placemaking.
A blend of cornerstone and new investment from ESO Capital supports Placefirst鈥檚 ambitious growth plans.
With a secured pipeline of over 1,500 homes and an ambition to deliver 4,000 homes by 2023, the company is set to expand from its north of England base into new regions including the Midlands and Scotland.
The near-term development pipeline includes new sites at Wolverhampton, Bolton, Newcastle and Manchester.
The company has significantly broadened its senior executive team under the leadership of Placefirst founder David Smith-Milne, who led the business since its foundation in 2009 and has now stepped back from the managing director role as part of a transition plan.
David said: 鈥淗aving founded Placefirst some 10 years ago, I am proud that we are now firmly recognised as a pioneer in developing homes for rent properties.
鈥淚t is a testament to the team that Placefirst offers a genuine quality alternative to home ownership for the growing number of in-work households unable to access home ownership and our commitment to quality has resulted in over 20 national and regional awards over the last three years.
鈥淚 have no doubt that the firm will go from strength to strength.鈥
Chair Bill said: 鈥淭here is no coincidence that the build-to-rent market is growing rapidly as we struggle as a nation to solve the acute shorting of housing. I am very much looking forward to applying my experience to support Placefirst鈥檚 growth.鈥
David added: 鈥淭hrough the strong leadership of founder David Smith-Milne, Placefirst has quickly established itself as a leader in the 海角视频 build-to-rent market and has an ambitious pipeline of funded growth.
"I鈥檓 looking forward to working with the talented Placefirst team and hitting the ground running when I join in early 2020.鈥
