Wates resi arm hires development director

Wates Residential has hired Kate Ives as development director for London and the south as it looks to expand its share of the market in the region.

Ives (pictured) joins from Silvertown developer First Base, where she was a business director.

At Wates Residential, she will be responsible for growing the firm’s investment in new developments and building on its portfolio of partnerships and joint ventures.

Paul Nicholls, regional managing director of Wates Residential, said: “Kate is joining the business at a very exciting time as we grow our blended portfolio of development and contracting projects. Her role will be crucial in ensuring that we grow our development activities sustainably while continuing to provide our clients with the high standard of delivery to which they have become accustomed.”

Commenting on her new role, Ives said: “Capital investment in new housing is a huge opportunity for Wates Residential and provides an innovative means to addressing the crucial need for high quality new homes in and around London.

“I am very much looking forward to growing our partnership housing initiatives and developing strategic collaborations within the industry that will help to build upon Wates Residential’s extensive place-making expertise.”

Last autumn Wates announced plans to expand its housing investment and sales-led development.

The firm’s current partnership development portfolio across the UK includes the regeneration programme at Erith Park in Bexley in partnership with Orbit and the City of Cardiff Council’s Housing Partnership Programme to create 1,500 new homes and Rotherham Council’s 200-home site cluster development.