Cityheart makes further hires as national regeneration projects expand

Housing, regeneration and placemaking development specialist, Wilmslow and London-based Cityheart, has announced two senior appointments to further bolster its growing team and extend its presence across the UK.

Benji Slater (pictured, left) joins from Inland Homes as development director with a remit to support Cityheart’s regeneration projects across the South and Midlands, where he will be working with Andrew Sanderson and Hilton McCarthy.

Also joining Cityheart as senior planning and development manager, based in Wilmslow is James Litherland (pictured, right) who was previously with Placefirst and The Co-operative Group.

Benji and James join Cityheart following a major restructure of the business last year which saw Warren Taylor take up the role of Chief Operating Officer and Jonny Wrigley become Group Chief Executive of the Group including a new build to rent division Cityheart Homes and Supported Housing Joint Venture, HBV Cityheart. New strategic hires were also made in financial director and development director roles.

Commenting on joining the company Benji Slater said:

“I’m proud to be joining Cityheart at such an exciting time, with so many transformational urban regeneration projects underway and a strong pipeline of new opportunities right across the country.”

James Litherland added:

“Cityheart has a strong track record of taking bold decisions and collaborating with its partners to deliver truly transformational regeneration. I’m looking forward to supporting the team and helping to create sustainable local communities and schemes that have a positive impact on people’s lives.”

To accommodate the growing team Cityheart has relocated and doubled its office space in Wilmslow, Cheshire as well as maintaining its head office in Chester. To support the businesses expansion plans it will be taking additional space in London later this year to help service clients and partners across the south.

Commenting on the latest appointment Warren Taylor CEO of Cityheart commented:

“We have set out ambitious growth plans for the business and Benji and James will be key in helping us achieve those targets, bringing additional expertise and knowledge to the team. The business enjoys a hardworking, collaborative culture where everyone is motivated to do the very best for our clients, communities, and for one another. We are delighted to welcome them both to our team.”

Cityheart is due to complete the transformational new £51.7 million Stockport Interchange residential scheme this May as well having started work on the 442-home Royal George Village scheme in the town. Further afield, the firm has also been appointed as joint venture partner by West Northamptonshire Council to bring forward Four Waterside and Marefair, one of the largest brownfield developments in the county and is working with Wigan Council to deliver the £135 million Galleries redevelopment scheme.