Design-led developer Bewley Homes has appointed two new directors to its board, namely Bob Murrell as Construction Director and Angus Cook as Land Director.

After five years as Associate Construction Director, Bob Murrell MCIOB has been promoted to his new role at the design-led developer. The 59-year-old explained that he developed a passion for the construction industry as a teenager, working for small sites in his summer holidays from school.

“I liked the outdoor life and the sense of achievement I got from finishing a project,” he said. “So, as soon as I left school, I went to Guildford Technical College and left with an OND and an HND.”

In the years which have followed, Bob has worked for a wide variety of companies. His experience includes site management at London’s Docklands in the 1980s when the area was first undergoing regeneration – what Bob calls its “heyday”. He also undertook a project management role at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, working on both housing and commercial properties.

Bob, who is married to Gail, said he is pleased to have seen Bewley grow in the five years in which he has worked for the developer. “When I first joined, Bewley was turning over around 80 units a year; it’s now around 370,” he explained. “It’s down to the terrific hard work of all the people concerned. I take my hat off to them.”

Bewley Managing Director Andrew Brooks said: “We are delighted that Bob has joined the Board as Construction Director. His experience in the construction industry is extremely impressive and his results speak for themselves.”

Meanwhile, Angus Cook has ambitious plans to secure more than a thousand new plots within the next 18 months.

The 43-year-old, who has worked in the industry since leaving university in 1998, joined the Berkshire-based developer at the start of February. Having risen through the ranks to become a Land Director and then Managing Director with other companies, Angus says his new role with Bewley is the perfect fit.

“I took a look around the industry, because I wanted to work for a company whose product and brand I truly believed in,” he explained. “Bewley suited me down to the ground. They have a fantastic reputation as a company based on family values but which has real aspirations to grow. And, considering their turnover has grown from £30m in 2013 to £140m in 2019, I’m sure this will be the case. They’re a real SME success story.” 

He added: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my role so far. The team is very supportive and I’ve been given autonomy to take the land department in the direction I think it needs to go. For me, this is securing in excess of 1,100 plots with planning permission over the next 18 months. This is quite a mission, but we’ve got to have the plots ready to ensure a consistent flow of development throughout the business.”

Andrew Brooks said: “Angus brings with him a driven and passionate approach, borne of his 20 years’ experience in the industry. We’re sure he will make a real success of his role as Land Director.”

Founded in 1991, independent developer Bewley Homes has sites across Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey. For more information, visit www.bewley.co.uk.