Member Article

New Chairman appointed at Prince Bishops Homes

Prince Bishops Homes (PBH) has announced the appointment of a new Chairman to lead and continue its growth across the North East.

John Swanson (69) took up his new role as Chairman on October 10, following the departure of Watts Stelling who is retiring after leading the successful development of the company since 2008.

PBH is a subsidiary company of County Durham housing provider Derwentside Homes, which provides private rental sector homes with the option to purchase. It provides tenants the chance to get onto the housing ladder through its innovative ‘Rent to Buy’ scheme.

John who lives near Alnwick, Northumberland is current chairman and director of County Life Homes which develops small high quality developments in Northumberland and Durham.

With a background in building design, he brings with him over 50 years business experience including 19 years managing homebuilding and development companies throughout the UK, USA, France and Spain with Barratt Developments where he became Group Chairman and CEO in 1989.

He stepped down from his role with Barratt Developments in July 1991 before joining Tay Homes as Managing Director in 1992 and then CEO in 1998. In 1999, he formed County Life Homes and is a supporter of local enterprises and charities. He is currently a Trustee of HospiceCare North Northumberland.

Commenting on his appointment, John who is married, said: “I am delighted to be joining PBH at a very exciting time in the company’s growth. Since it was established, PBH has developed a wide range of high quality new homes to rent across County Durham and has helped local families to get a foot onto the property ladder.

“The company’s current portfolio includes over 250 homes and we are looking forward to unveiling our 300th property in the new year. To continue our growth, we plan to identify and acquire a further 300 properties across the North East by 2016 taking our total portfolio of properties to 600.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Watts Stelling who has been a great asset to the company and to leave the company in such a healthy position and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Chief Executive of PBH Keith Tallintire, said: “John brings with him a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience that will strengthen and add value to the business. He has an extremely impressive CV and I am confident with his experience, particularly from Barratt Developments, he can lead and help us to become a dominant company across the North East and further afield.

“On behalf of all staff and Board members, I would like to welcome him to the company and I am looking forward to working with him.”

PBH is currently working on a number of sites developing around 300 new homes and includes three blocks of flats in the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead where it will offer the properties for rent to hospital staff and on the open market.

The company is also completing a new development of 14 three and four bedroom homes in Low Willington, County Durham which will be the first scheme in the North of England where homes have been built for private rent under the Government’s Build to Rent scheme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Craig Downs .