Meet the Team

Catherine brings over 15 years of experience in local government, specialising in economic growth, regeneration, and transformation. Before joining North Kesteven District Council as Director of Place in 2025, she spent more than a decade at Rushcliffe Borough Council, where she led on economic development, property strategy, and service transformation projects.

Her career includes delivering major regeneration schemes, driving partnership working, and leading initiatives that create opportunities for businesses and communities. Catherine is passionate about shaping places that balance growth with sustainability and improving quality of life for residents.

At Lafford Homes, Catherine provides strategic direction on place-making and development, ensuring every scheme contributes to vibrant, resilient communities.

“Great places do not happen by chance, they are created through vision, collaboration, and a commitment to quality.”

Jason has been part of Lafford Homes since its inception and played a pivotal role in setting up the company. His contribution as a founding Director and Company Secretary helped establish the strong governance and financial foundations that underpin Lafford’s success today.

With over 30 years of experience in local government finance, Jason’s career began as a Revenues Assistant and progressed through senior accountancy roles to Assistant Director of Finance at North Kesteven District Council. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2001 and has led on financial planning, governance, and strategic income development programmes throughout his career.

Now serving as a Non-Executive Director, Jason continues to provide invaluable insight and guidance, ensuring Lafford Homes remains financially robust and well-governed as it grows.

“I am proud to have helped build Lafford Homes from the ground up, strong governance and sound financial principles are what allow us to deliver homes and communities that stand the test of time.”

Matthew brings over forty years of experience in housing, with nearly twenty of those at Executive Director level. His career spans housing management, repairs and maintenance, and new development for a range of organisations. Along the way, he has achieved the Chartered Institute of Housing Professional Qualification, an MA in Housing, and an MBA credentials that underpin his reputation for strategic leadership and operational excellence.

Matthew’s experience also includes twelve years as a non-executive director, including serving as Chair of Ongo Homes, Lincolnshire’s second-largest landlord. He understands the critical role governance plays in organisational success and is passionate about customer service, effective leadership, and building strong reputational foundations.

At Lafford Homes, Matthew is committed to taking the business to the next level, delivering high-quality homes, strengthening financial performance, and ensuring the company is recognised as a reliable and trusted provider.

“Housing is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about creating security, opportunity, and a sense of belonging for every customer.”

 
Chris brings extensive experience in sales and customer aftercare within the housing sector. Currently Head of Sales & Aftercare at Amplius, he has previously held senior roles at Longhurst Group, where he led sales strategies and customer service initiatives across mixed-tenure developments.

With a strong background in delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving commercial performance, Chris provides valuable insight to the Lafford Homes Board. His focus is on ensuring that sales processes and customer care standards reflect best practice and support the company’s reputation for quality and reliability.

“Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions people make, our role is to make that experience as smooth, transparent, and positive as possible.”

Ian brings over 18 years of experience in housing development and regeneration, with a career spanning housing associations, local authorities and national agencies.

Before joining Lafford Homes in 2024, Ian held senior roles at WDH (now Vico Homes) and Longhurst Group. At WDH, he led the development team and drove strategic growth as the company increased the number of homes it developed, resulting it the most it have ever completed in 2023/24 (422) and securing a significant pipeline of opportunities to ensure that continued. His background also includes time at the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England), helping support affordable housing delivery.

Born and raised in Lincolnshire, Ian has a deep connection to the communities Lafford serves. That local insight shapes his approach—combining commercial acumen with a passion for social value to ensure every development delivers long-term benefits for residents and the wider area.

Ian’s vision for Lafford Homes is clear: to create a business that sets the benchmark for quality, sustainability, and customer experience in Lincolnshire. He is committed to building homes that meet the highest standards under the New Homes Quality Code, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

“For me, success isn’t just about building homes—it’s about creating places where people can thrive.”

As Development Director at Lafford Homes, Mick brings over 40 years of experience in housing and property within Local Government.

A seasoned building professional, he has been with Lafford since day one and has played a key role in shaping the company’s journey.

Mick finds real reward in identifying new opportunities for Lafford Homes and collaborating with architects and landowners to bring those visions to life.

His approach is grounded in teamwork, pride, and a deep commitment to the company’s growth.

“It’s what you do next.”

 

A simple motto that reflects Mick’s forward-thinking mindset and dedication to progress.

With over 40 years of dedicated service to North Kesteven, Russell brings a wealth of experience, insight, and heart to his role at Lafford Homes.

Starting his journey as a trainee at North Kesteven District Council, Russell steadily rose through the ranks to become Property Services Manager leading a large team responsible for everything from new-build housing to the maintenance of around 4,000 council homes.

His leadership ensured these homes did not just meet legal standards they often exceeded them, delivering real quality for residents.

Russell’s career has always been about more than bricks and mortar. He is passionate about creating homes that help people thrive and communities’ flourish. His work has shaped the landscape of affordable and social housing across the district, leaving a legacy for generations to come.

Now, as New Business and Land Manager at Lafford Homes, Russell is focused on the future sourcing land, forging development partnerships, and helping to deliver the high-quality homes our communities need.

His deep local knowledge and commitment to public good make him a perfect fit for our ethos of “Profit with Purpose”.

Russell’s mission is clear: to keep building homes that support strong, inclusive communities and a vibrant local economy. With his guidance, we are not just developing properties we are investing in North Kesteven’s future.

With over 37 years of experience in quantity surveying, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge and a meticulous eye for detail to the team. His expertise spans procurement, contracts, and tender documentation, and he plays a vital role in administering our construction contracts.

Ian is known for his methodical approach and, of course, his legendary spreadsheets! His analytical mindset and clear communication make him a trusted figure across our projects.

Beyond the numbers, Ian’s calm and considered presence is a real asset to the team. We are proud to have him with us as we continue to grow and deliver high-quality, affordable homes across North Kesteven.

His adaptable, can-do attitude and commitment to making a difference make him a valued member of the Lafford Homes team.

 
Rebecca is an experienced Company Accountant with over eight years in the finance sector. At Lafford Homes, she plays a vital role in managing all aspects of our financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and ensuring financial compliance.

Her work supports the long-term sustainability and growth of the business, providing clear financial insight that informs strategic decision-making.

Rebecca also leads on investment planning and helps shape our financial direction, ensuring resources are used effectively and responsibly.

With a strong focus on accuracy and integrity, Rebecca is committed to maintaining robust financial systems that align with Lafford Homes’ goals and values.

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Abi brings over 13 years of experience in housing and customer services, with a career dedicated to supporting residents and building positive customer relationships. Her background across local authority and housing association sectors has given her a strong understanding of the challenges customers can face and the importance of delivering a responsive, compassionate service.

Abi began her housing career with the City of Lincoln Council in 2012 as an Apprentice Customer Services Advisor, progressing into Housing Assistant and Housing Officer roles. In 2019, she moved into a specialist Income Management Officer position within a Housing Association, further developing her expertise in customer support, communication and problem solving.

At Lafford Homes, Abi is often the friendly and reassuring voice that customers speak to when they need support. She is passionate about helping people, resolving issues and ensuring residents feel listened to and valued. Her caring approach, attention to detail and commitment to finding solutions help create a positive experience for customers at every stage of their journey.

Abi believes that great customer service starts with understanding individual needs and taking the time to build genuine relationships. Her dedication to supporting residents reflects Lafford Homes’ commitment to putting customers at the heart of everything it does.

“Helping people is the most rewarding part of my role. Taking the time to listen, understand and find the right solution can make a real difference to someone’s day and their experience with us.”

Tom has extensive experience in finance, including many years as a Payroll Technician at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Detail driven and service minded, he enjoys working with numbers and takes pride in delivering accurate, reliable support to colleagues and partners.

At Lafford Homes, Tom helps provide a clear picture of the company’s financial position by ensuring data is recorded accurately and on time. He supports budgeting and forecasting, maintains day to day records of incomings and outgoings, and is streamlining payment processes so suppliers are paid promptly and efficiently.

Outside of work, Tom can often be found running around Bourne or at a local parkrun as he trains for his next race. He plays for Revesby Cricket Club, follows Leicestershire County Cricket Club, and supports Blackburn Rovers.

“You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.”

Tom is pleased to have joined Lafford Homes at a pivotal stage in the company’s development.

Lesley brings over a decade of experience in high-level administrative and organisational support. Before joining Lafford Homes in 2025, she spent ten years as a Corporate Personal Assistant at North Kesteven District Council, supporting the Corporate Management Team in a fast-paced public sector environment.

Her background includes delivering efficient processes, managing complex schedules, and enabling senior leaders to focus on strategic priorities. At Lafford Homes, Lesley plays a key role in ensuring smooth operations across the business, providing essential support to the leadership team and helping maintain a strong customer-first culture.

“Behind every successful team is great organisation, I am proud to help keep everything running seamlessly so we can deliver for our customers.”

Rob brings over three decades of experience in the residential housing sector, combining expertise in both sales and marketing. His career spans senior roles with leading housebuilders, including Avant Homes, Persimmon Homes, Berkeley Group, Countryside, Crest Nicholson and Harron Homes, where he managed regional sales teams and delivered high-impact marketing strategies for new-build developments.

At Lafford Homes, Rob is leading the company’s transformation, building on its reputation for high-quality rental homes while launching its first new-build homes for sale.

His focus is on creating a distinctive brand identity, driving targeted marketing campaigns, and delivering a seamless customer journey from first enquiry through to aftercare.

Rob’s deep understanding of the housing market and customer expectations ensures that every development is marketed with clarity, creativity, and a strong sense of place.

“Selling homes is not just about transactions, it is about helping people find the right home and feel confident in their choice.”

Simon is our Development Manager, responsible for leading the project delivery team through the construction phase of each development.

With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge gained across both private and Local Authority sectors. His practical insight and collaborative approach help ensure that every Lafford Homes project is delivered efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards.

Simon is particularly passionate about embracing innovation in construction. He champions the use of modern technologies and sustainable practices to help us build homes that are not only high-quality but also future-ready.

“I’m passionate about integrating new technologies into homebuilding to ensure Lafford Homes delivers innovative, high-quality housing.”

Clare supports the delivery of high-quality residential developments across Lafford Homes. With over a decade of experience in construction and property development, she brings a calm, solutions-focused approach to every project.

Her background spans procurement, project coordination, and client engagement skills she uses daily to help keep developments on track and aligned with our values of quality, value, and community benefit.

Clare is passionate about seeing projects come to life and takes real pride in the details. She is known for her collaborative mindset and her ability to adapt quickly when challenges arise.

“Behind every finished home is a team that cared about getting it right.”

Eddie brings decades of experience in construction quality assurance, with a career spanning site management, refurbishment, and new build projects for both private and public sectors.

As Clerk of Works at Lafford Homes, Eddie plays a vital role in safeguarding our reputation for excellence. He ensures every property delivered by principal contractors meets our rigorous standards for build quality, safety, and compliance.

Before moving into construction over 30 years ago, Eddie trained as a professional chef in classical French cuisine – an early career that honed his precision and attention to detail, qualities he now applies to every inspection.

His meticulous approach and technical expertise guarantee homes are built to specification, giving residents confidence in the durability and finish of their new home.

“Quality is not negotiable—it is built in from the ground up.”