Member Article

Housebuilder MD retires after 35 years of service

The boss of a leading West Yorkshire housebuilder is set to retire after more than 35 years’ service with the same company.

Wayne Gradwell managing director of Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire will be handing over the reins to former technical director, Karen Follows.

Joining Persimmon in the early 80s Wayne launched his career within the Yorkshire division as an assistant quantity surveyor working his way up the technical department ladder to chief quantity surveyor.

In 1996, at the onset of the brand new West Yorkshire division, Wayne accepted the role of technical manager for the Leeds-based business.

In just five years Wayne made a further three career moves to claim the top position and believes he has built in the region of 7,000 homes across West Yorkshire during his 17 years in the leadership role.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Persimmon. I feel very fortunate to have been part of a company that has grown from a fairly small housebuilder to one of the largest in the country and a FTSE 100 company.

“I am most proud of the fact that I started with the West Yorkshire business from its start and consider that, along with the rest of my team, we have built a strong and profitable regional business.”

It’s not just housebuilding that Wayne has achieved during his time at the Leeds-based business. A keen runner Wayne has completed numerous marathons on behalf of Persimmon raising money for local charities. He was instrumental in leading his team raise more than £28,000 to fund a specialist nurse for a year at Forget-Me-Not Children Hospice.

Karen Follows who has been with Persimmon Homes for more than 20 years and the technical director at West Yorkshire business for eight years will be responsible for strengthening the West Yorkshire team for the foreseeable future.

“Karen has a strong knowledge of the business and is well respected both in the West Yorkshire business as well as throughout the industry. I believe she will be successful in leading the company to continual growth and prosperity,” added Wayne.

“I am very pleased I picked Persimmon for my career. I have worked with so many lovely people over the years. I am sure I will miss the business and will certainly miss the people.

“I am looking forward to the next phase of my life and having more time for holidays, running, reading and playing golf.”

David Jenkinson, group managing director for Persimmon Homes plc, added: “Wayne has made a significant impact to the business and leaves the West Yorkshire division in a strong position. On behalf of the company we thank him for his loyalty and service and wish him an enjoyable retirement.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ross Watson .