Eric Wright creates new managing directors

Bamber Bridge-based Eric Wright Group has promoted three directors across its property divisions to the board, as all three become managing directors and will pick up the responsibilities of Chris Evenson, who is retiring.

Evenson was property managing director of Maple Grove Developments, Applethwaite and Health & Care.

Karen Hirst now becomes managing director of Maple Grove, after joining the company as divisional director 18 months ago. Hirst leads on the Cuerden project, a strategic site in South Ribble, with Maple Grove acting as Lancashire County Council’s development partner for the first phase of retail on the 160-acre site.

She said: “Maple Grove is a North West focused property development specialist with an enviable track record of bringing forward major projects and commercial developments. A number of these are in partnership with public sector organisations and some as joint ventures with other private sector developers.

“I’m looking forward to building on that success as managing director and would like to thank Chris Evenson for all his hard work in heading up the Property division for the last eight years.”

In parallel with Hirst’s new role, Colin Hetherington has been appointed as managing director of housebuilder Applethwaite. Hetherington has already guided Applethwaite’s move from a business focused on high-end homes in the Lake District to delivering larger schemes in South Lakeland and Lancashire. As managing director, he will continue to develop the company’s portfolio of family homes in village locations and bungalow developments for the over 55 market.

Christine Winstanley becomes managing director of Eric Wright Health & Care as part of the suite of promotions, after eight years as divisional director. During this time she has been responsible for developing the brand as a strategic partner to the NHS and local authorities and has evolved the company towards the creation of a portfolio of health and care property assets.

In addition to the managing director appointments across all Eric Wright Group’s property businesses, the Group has also appointed divisional director, Neal Whittle as managing director of Eric Wright Water, with a remit to continue to develop the £45m business as a contractor in the water sector.

Jeremy Hartley remains as managing director of the Group as a whole, and said the promotions were part of “strong succession planning”. He commented: “As we continue to grow across the Group, extending the reach of our property businesses in terms of both sector and geography, it’s vital that we have the right level of skills and leadership within our senior team.”