Berkeley First appoints new Pre-Development Director

Award winning developer Berkeley First, the division of the Berkeley Group developing attainably priced homes for young professionals, keyworkers and students, has appointed John Stainton as its new Pre-Development Director.

John will be the fourth strategic appointment at Berkeley First in as many months as the developer expands its professional team in line with an increase in projects.

John will be tasked with applying his extensive experience to Berkeley First developments to ensure they are optimised to their full potential using innovative design and construction solutions. Berkeley First, established in 1993, is recognised as a leading urban regeneration developer winning the coveted What House? ‘Best Brownfield Development 2007’ award, along with other key industry accolades from Building magazine and The Evening Standard.

John has worked as a Technical Director for several other residential developers, including Bovis and Linden Homes. One of his first projects at Berkeley First will be to co-ordinate the planning and pre-development proposals to refurbish May Day House, a redundant 1960s office building in Croydon, into stylish residential accommodation. A planning application to Croydon Council is anticipated shortly.

Other current Berkeley First projects include 661 London Road, Isleworth, a development of 190 one, two and three bed apartments; Time House, Clapham, 36 studio, one and two bed apartments, and Pier Road, Gillingham, which includes over 1400 waterfront homes and student accommodation for the University of Kent.