New sales director set to drive further growth at DM & Co. Homes

DM & Co. Homes has appointed Lisa Smith as sales director.

She joined the independent estate agent 18 months ago as branch manager and valuer at the company’s Dorridge office.

The estate agency covers Solihull, Dorridge, Lapworth, Tanworth-in-Arden and the surrounding areas.

Dominic Murphy, managing director of DM & Co Homes, said: “Since Lisa joined the company in September 2020, her charisma, charm, local industry knowledge and the fact she has lived in Dorridge and the surrounding areas with her family for over 20 years, has made her a huge asset to the business.

“She is an absolute diamond, and I am pleased to say, a genuine right-hand woman, one that I would be lost without.

“Lisa has an exceptionally strong yet relaxed approach to business and absolutely strives to deliver the very best agency experience for all our clients.”

Having been born and brought up in Solihull, Smith briefly worked in London before returning to raise her family of three children in the Dorridge area where she has now lived for over 20 years.

Staff numbers at DM & Co. Homes have increased from six to 29, with an increase of over 50% in 2021 alone as the firm sold more than 367 homes.

Smith commented: “I had previously worked in estate agency locally for national corporates, and I was very attracted to DM & Co Homes as an independent and a firm that was committed to growth.

“I met Dominic and was impressed with his plans to develop DM & Co. Homes into one of leading property advisers in the area, and I felt my experience, background and local knowledge could really help to drive that growth.”

UKAA CEO Dave Butler announces retirement

The UK Apartment Association (UKAA), the trade organisation for the UK’s Build to Rent sector, has announced that its CEO, Dave Butler, will be stepping down from his role and retiring at the end of April, after three and a half years at the helm.

Butler’s career has encompassed a string of senior leadership positions within the real estate and technology sectors.

Butler said: “It has been an honour to champion and support UKAA’s members in their diligent work creating the rental communities of today and tomorrow over the past three years. The organisation’s growth has been remarkable, and it is a pleasure to be able to retire with such certainty regarding the bright future that UKAA has ahead of it.”

Recruitment is now open and underway for both the CEO and the Operations Director roles and is being handled by Red Penny & Partners. #

Lesley Roberts, president, UKAA, commented: “We are delighted that the expanded UKAA will encompass both an operations director role and a CEO role moving forward. This will give us greater capacity to support the continued growth of the wider Build to Rent sector and deliver even more amazing homes.

“The whole organisation extends its thanks to Dave for his contribution. He is leaving the UKAA and our sector in a position of strength, and we wish him every happiness in his retirement.”

Persimmon Homes benefits from latest graduate programme              

Housebuilder Persimmon Homes is already reaping the rewards from its 2022 graduate programme.

The housebuilder, which has 31 regional businesses in England, Wales and Scotland, is centrally managed graduate programme immerses emerging talent in a structured two-year training programme with a variety of career pathways.

This initiative is bearing fruit for the housebuilder having recently taken on 23 new apprentices across NE, Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland, Teesside and Hartlepool of late.

Michael Johnson, Persimmon Homes’ apprenticeship manager, said: “There is much talk at the moment about the skills shortage in construction with a lot of companies struggling to find the calibre of personnel they need. Our philosophy has been to establish a scheme and working environment that will not only attract the people we need, but will also encourage them to remain with us and build their career for the long term.”

Chris Curry, a regional managing director for North East, Durham and Teesside, added: “Like in many industries and sectors today, times are challenging in terms of the availability of quality, skilled labour. At Persimmon Homes we are passionate about providing opportunities for young people and bringing new talent into the business through our apprenticeship scheme.  Our aim is to attract young men and women who possess a strong sense of drive and determination to succeed and we are currently expanding our apprenticeship scheme intake to facilitate this.”