Taylor Wimpey shows commitment to East Scotland

Taylor Wimpey, the UK’s largest homebuilder, has appointed Willie Burns as director and general manager for their George Wimpey East Scotland region.

Mr Burns, who will be based at the company’s Dunfermline office, will lead the company as it strives to build on its operations in key locations such as Fife, Midlothian and Perthshire, whilst improving the geographical reach of the company to cover the Borders, Edinburgh aswell as East and West Lothian.

Willie Burns will report to Andy Wyles, the divisional managing director for Taylor Wimpey in Scotland.

Taylor Wimpey plc was formed in July 2007 following the merger of Taylor Woodrow plc and George Wimpey plc. As well as George Wimpey, the holding company will retain the customer facing Bryant Homes brand. It will also continue to develop the G2 brand, which provides high quality apartments exclusively for first time buyers from £60,000.

Willie Burns joined the company in 1980 from school as a group trainee whilst also studying Construction Management at Napier College. Initially employed by George Wimpey West Scotland as assistant site manager and then site manager, he left to join CALA Homes. He rejoined George Wimpey in 1999 as production director before his appointment to current role of director and general manager. Willie’s extensive knowledge of the industry and exposure in the market gives him a clear insight into the challenges facing both the industry and the company over the coming years.

George Wimpey East Scotland is already a force to be reckoned with in the industry as Willie Burns comments: “This company is a significant player in the Scottish house building industry, and my role will be to continue to build on our achievements and strive for continuous improvement to sustain our plans for the future. “The business, and indeed the industry continue to face many challenges which include tackling the issues around the barriers to growth in housing supply, affordability and sustainability. We’re also now gearing up for new building regulations that will be introduced by the Government in the next 18 months in a bid to create sustainable, energy efficient homes.”