Birmingham-headquartered urban regeneration specialist Wavensmere Homes has recruited Chris West to the newly created senior position of finance business partner.
Established in 2016, Wavensmere’s live construction projects have a collective GDV of over £400m. The five major developments currently under construction are seeing circa £3.5m per month spent on brownfield regeneration. An additional three major Midlands schemes are at the planning or pre-construction stage, with a handful of land acquisitions on the immediate horizon.
Chris West joins from the Birmingham office of Avison Young, where he worked as a senior corporate accountant since 2019. Prior to that, he was a finance executive and IT manager for Leaping Man Group. Mr West is a CIMA qualified accountant with over a decade of finance experience.
Wavensmere has created the new permanent role to enable Chris to act as a strategic and operational finance partner across all departments. By providing an enhanced level of forecasting and financial visibility, he will be instrumental to support the timely deliverability of each live and upcoming development project, together with contributing to the overall continued growth of the multi-award-winning firm.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Chris joins us only six months after Anthony Cakebread started as finance director, which reflects the investment we’re making this year to bolster out senior in-house team. There has never been a tougher business climate for SME housebuilders, so this appointment will maintain and enhance our strong appeal with local authorities, landowners, partners and investors.”
In Chris’ previous role at Avison Young, he prepared the quarterly management accounts for multiple property clients, which included analysis of income, expenditure and variance, together with accruals. He also produced budgets and forecasts, accompanied by financial commentary. Chris assisted in the sale and merging of multiple entities and properties, as well as training junior members of staff.
Anthony Cakebread, Wavensmere Homes’ finance director, said: “Chris’s appointment strengthens the financial rigour behind every project we deliver. As our development pipeline continues to scale, having a finance business partner who can provide real‑time insight and strategic challenge is essential to maintaining our momentum and ensuring we continue to deliver high‑quality regeneration at pace.
“His experience in property‑focused financial management will enhance our forecasting, sharpen our decision‑making, and support the sustainable growth of Wavensmere Homes during a period of significant expansion.”
Chris West, finance business partner at Wavensmere Homes, said “I am thrilled to join Wavensmere’s in-house finance team and have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of one the UK’s most high-profile SME housebuilders.
“Having been at Avison Young for seven years, I’ve had the privilege to work with a large number of successful property firms. By jumping ship to take up this in-house role, I’ll be able to progress my career, while developing a detailed understanding of Wavensmere’s financial trajectory. I certainly hope to play a part in the ongoing success of this fantastic development firm.”
Wavensmere Homes has recently concluded construction of the final phase of its £175m Nightingale Quarter development, located off London Road within Derby city centre. The £112m Belgrave Village development has also recently completed, delivering 438 energy-efficient houses and apartments in central Birmingham – on a brownfield site that was vacant for 20 years.
The £80m Friar Gate Goods Yard in Derby city centre is bringing about the redevelopment of two landmark Grade II listed buildings into over 110,000 sq ft of commercial space, alongside 276 new build homes.
In Wolverhampton city centre, the £150m Wolverhampton Canalside South scheme is delivering over 530 high EPC-rated homes, seven acres of vibrant green space, and a range of commercial amenities, bringing about the transformation of the former 17.5-acre British Steel site and Crane Foundry, which had previously lain derelict for 15 years.
Wavensmere is also 16 months into the £50m redevelopment of the North Place surface car park, located within Cheltenham’s Central Conservation Area. Arkle Court will comprise 147 houses and apartments, designed to sensitively enhance the street scene, including Grade II* listed St Margaret’s Terrace.