The Eric Wright Group has promoted Colin Hetherington to the position of managing director of its housebuilding company, Applethwaite, creating opportunities to deliver greater synergy and collaboration across the Group’s property sector businesses.
The move follows Colin’s pivotal role as divisional director in successfully transforming Applethwaite from a specialist in high-end homes for affluent buyers in the Lake District, to a housebuilder with an enviable reputation for construction of high quality, traditional homes, tailored to the needs of contemporary lifestyles across Lancashire and the North West.
The company has deliberately avoided the mass market approach of maximising volumes on residential development sites in favour of building quality family homes and specialist bungalow schemes to service the demands of retirement market, thereby achieving an enviable reputation for quality and a market-focused approach.
In his new role as managing director, Colin will continue to build on this strategy, focusing on delivering quality family housing in established village locations and targeting buyers in the 55+ age range with a high quality, lifestyle focused product and service. Applethwaite will work with sister company, Eric Wright Health & Care, to provide housing solutions that dovetail with assisted living, residential care and healthcare provision to offer genuine choice while addressing the needs of an aging population.
The role will leverage Colin’s five years of association with Applethwaite and 20+ years of experience in delivering residential projects, which includes senior roles with several corporate housebuilders. It will also draw on his track record in land acquisition, utilising his skills as a chartered surveyor to extend the Applethwaite portfolio strategically across the North West region.
Colin commented: “Having worked at a senior level for several housebuilders, I can honestly say that Applethwaite has a unique position in the market. Our focus is to continue to deliver quality family homes in established village locations and expand our operations to deliver more bungalow schemes for the retirement market across South Lakeland and Lancashire.
“I am proud and delighted to be appointed as managing director of a company that consistently builds high quality homes and I look forward to working in partnership with my fellow Managing Directors and the board across the Eric Wright Group as we continue to build on Applethwaite’s success as part of a wider property portfolio.”
Jeremey Hartley, group managing director of Eric Wright Group added: “Colin has played an important and integral role in growing the Applethwaite business, which has seen him progress from Consultant to Director and now Managing Director.
“His new role will enable him to drive further growth, working in partnership with our other Eric Wright Group businesses and we wish him every success.”
Applethwaite is part of the Eric Wright Group and wholly-owned by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust. Profits from the Group are invested back into the Trust and used to support organisations and good causes that focus on young people’s wellbeing, education and training, health, carers and elderly services in the North West and across the UK.