Gleeson appoints new Commercial Director

Simon Utley joins Gleeson as Commercial Director after 12 years at Bellway Homes. Previously Commercial Director for Bellway’s Yorkshire Division overseeing a period of major growth for the company.

Replacing Arron Passarelli, recently promoted to Regional Managing Director for Gleeson’s North West and Cumbria division, Utley will be based at Gleeson’s head office in Sheffield and report directly to Managing Director Mark Knight.

Gleeson, boasts a unique position in the housebuilding sector, building high quality, low cost homes, for people on low to medium incomes in the North and the Midlands.

Its houses are particularly attractive to the first-time buyer market and when comparing the cost of mortgages often fares considerably better than renting and are sold at typically 20% below the average market price.

Despite the global impact of Covid 19, Gleeson is still expecting the first-time buyer market to pick up relatively quickly once restrictions are lifted. It is currently planning its return to operational activity once it is safe to do so, phasing the return of its site, sales and HO function roles into the business from furlough leave.

Whilst much construction has been brought to a standstill, the appetite for homeownership has not gone away. Gleeson has continued to take a number of reservations on its properties virtually, confirming its belief that the first-time buyer market will still wish to secure their own properties and is set to recover first.

Managing Director, Mark Knight, welcomes the appointment saying:

We’re delighted to have Simon on board albeit whilst we are all working remotely. Despite this, our business is going through a period of controlled growth and change, and I believe that Simon will make a substantial contribution to this next phase as we enhance our commercial systems and practices and return to work.

Our mission is to deliver the dream of homeownership to people who never thought they could afford a home of their own.

Simon Utley adds:

This is a great opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to being part of the Gleeson team. Whilst these are unprecedented times, I am really excited about the future and being able to be part of Gleeson’s strategy and success.”

Gleeson are planning to open over 20 sites before the end of the year and has recently announced extra support for all key workers who buy a Gleeson home.