Willmott Dixon Developments expands team as £1bn development pipeline builds

Willmott Dixon Developments has appointed three development managers as it scales its team against a development pipeline worth more than £1bn.

The appointments extend the business’s regional coverage across the North, South and Wales , four months on from its launch at UKREiiF in May. Willmott Dixon Developments brings together ten years of Willmott Dixon’s regeneration, development and investment expertise under a single national platform, giving councils, public sector organisations, investors and development partners a clearer route to support on complex schemes.

Momentum since launch

Since launching in May, Willmott Dixon Developments has continued to build momentum by working with councils, investors and development partners to unlock complex regeneration opportunities. Current projects include acting as long-term regeneration partner in Torbay across a multi-site town centre and waterfront portfolio, leading masterplanning and planning strategy for North Quay in Great Yarmouth, and working with Dorset Council on a Regeneration Partnership helping to shape Weymouth's future.

Over the past ten years the team has delivered more than 1,000 homes, including Ashton Rise in Bristol, a 133-home mixed tenure scheme for Bristol City Council with 40 per cent affordable social rent.

David Atkinson, Director of Development and Investment at Willmott Dixon Developments, said:

“The launch of Willmott Dixon Developments brought together the expertise we’ve been successfully delivering on projects for more than a decade, uniting it under a dedicated development and regeneration business. As demand from partners continues to grow, attracting talented people with strong public-sector understanding, commercial expertise and regional insight is critical. Tom, Emily and Kassim bring a wealth of experience that will strengthen our ability to help partners unlock opportunities and accelerate delivery of complex projects across the UK.”

Three appointments across three regions

Emily Cockle and Tom Lowry join as senior development managers, with Kassim Bahsoon appointed as development manager. Emily will support partners across the South, Tom across Wales and the Southwest, and Kassim across the North.

Tom Lowry joined in June from regeneration developer Urban Splash, bringing experience in planning, regeneration and development delivery. During his time there he worked on schemes including Royal William Yard in Plymouth and Swansea Civic Centre, having previously held roles at Plymouth City Council.

Tom said:

“This is an exciting time to join Willmott Dixon Developments as the business continues to grow its presence across the UK. I am passionate about delivering regeneration that creates long-term value, and I look forward to working with partners to bring forward projects that transform places and support thriving communities.”

Emily Cockle joined from BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council) and is a regeneration and development specialist who has led transformational projects in senior roles across both the public and private sectors. Her expertise in place-based visioning, stakeholder engagement and unlocking large, complex sites has helped shape projects including Rochester Riverside in Kent, the Daedalus Enterprise Zone, Whitehill and Bordon, Fawley Waterside, the Solent Freeport in Hampshire, and Holes Bay in Dorset.

Emily said:

“I’ve joined Willmott Dixon Developments at a pivotal point, to offer my skills, expertise and insight to our partners looking to unlock lasting value. I am honoured to work alongside an outstanding team, to deliver lasting benefits for communities across the South.”

Kassim Bahsoon joined in August from Property Alliance Group, supporting projects across the North. An MRICS chartered planning and development surveyor, he has almost a decade of experience across residential, commercial, mixed-use and industrial projects, including The Limes in Didsbury and Reedham House in Manchester.

Kassim said:

"Having spent my career working across such a broad range of projects, I'm looking forward to bringing that experience to a business with such a commitment to investing in the North. I hope in this new role I can help drive innovative and effective development that can deliver real, lasting value for communities."

Further appointments are planned as Willmott Dixon Developments scales its regional teams across England and Wales.