Mansell’s north west partnership homes managing director Stuart Belfield has joined Willmott Dixon as operations director for housing in the region.

He is joined by business development colleague Richard Sterling who has also jumped ship to becomes sales and marketing manager at Willmott Dixon Housing.

Belfield said: “When Willmott Dixon outlined its ambitious growth plans for the North, the opportunity to help shape this was too good to miss.

Willmott Dixon has a compelling market proposition as one of the country’s largest housing contractors; we’re looking forward to delivering this potential in the North.”

The two men will lead the drive to extend the company’s geographic reach into the North after it secured a place on all four regional lots of the HCA’s Delivery Partner Panel 2 framework.

Willmott Dixon’s housing aspirations for the region are also strengthened by being on further key frameworks; Scape, The Cutting Edge Framework and Procure Plus New Build Framework.

The builder already plays a big role in the wider construction market in the North, with offices in Oldham, Leeds and Newcastle delivering £150m turnover.

This platform will be used to expand its house building capability in the region.

The firm’s homes business already builds 1,500 homes a year, mainly in the South East, and has been growing its presence in the North Midlands housing market during the past 12 months.

This has seen several large schemes secured including the £23m programme to deliver 197 new retirement homes in Derbyshire for Chevin Housing Association, a member of the Together Housing Group.

Charlie Scherer, chief operating officer at Willmott Dixon’s housing business said, “Our position on the HCA’s Delivery Partner Panel 2 framework and existing office network in the North gives us real confidence we can grow significantly over the next few years.

“Stuart and Richard will be key players in how we shape that proposition and help clients deliver their plans to meet the demand for quality, affordable homes.”