We are pleased to welcome Lee Jones to the team as a Senior Project Manager.

With extensive experience working on projects across the north of England and will work closely with the land and planning teams to bring our portfolio of sites to market.

Lee, who previously worked at Equans UK, said: “This is a huge opportunity for me to work with an independent company that wants to make a difference and bring land to market in the right way.

“I am looking forward to working with some really great people on some significant strategic projects that will help grow communities.”

Planning Director Neil Lewis said: “Lee has the right skill set and experience to help drive projects forward and I am delighted to have him on board.”

Pupils from Ellesmere Park High School in Eccles learned all about the elements of sustainable planning during a careers talk by Wain Estates.

As part of National Careers Week, Natalie Webster and Amelia Lewin spoke about their roles as a associate planning and development director and a land buyer with the Warrington based strategic land company.

They then tasked the Year 9 class with designing their own community masterplan for a large development site and Natalie said: “They were really engaged with the whole process and it was fascinating to see them consider all the different elements needed when planning for a large site, from new roads and sewers to how people will travel to offices and homes.

“The entire class had really thought about what they would like to see, how it would fit in with the surrounding area and even how long it would take to build.

“They were also keen to confidently share their visions with us and with their classmates.

“Educating young people about how communities can expand and grow is important and we want them to be as involved as possible. We didn’t just explain what we do–we highlighted the many different roles involved in development from planning and design to marketing.

“Hopefully they were as inspired as we were and we helped encourage some future development talent.” 

Halima Farooq, Business & Employer Engagement Officer for Consilium Academies, said: “At Ellesmere Park High School, we are proactively engaging with employers to enrich our careers curriculum and provide students with real-world insights into the world of work. We are always delighted to welcome companies in and talk about job roles and careers. Actually meeting people and seeing how the roles work in practice is hugely inspirational for the pupils and we are grateful to Wain Estates for providing such an entertaining and illuminating insight.”

At Wain Estates we support continued professional development and reward hard work and are pleased to see Will Young promoted to Senior Project Manager while Luke Hopkins is now a Senior Land Manager.

Will has been with us for more than three years, primarily working on the Carrington Estate in Greater Manchester.

He said: “Since joining the company, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various elements of the complex Carrington regeneration project, finding solutions to drive forward progress across the site has been highly rewarding. I am looking forward to building on this progress in my new role.”

Director of Special Projects, Jack Brister, said: “Will’s ability to drive forward complex negotiations and projects is a huge asset to the company. This promotion recognises both his skills and dedication.” 

Of Luke, Land Director Ryan James, said: “Luke is key part of our team and has made a real impact since joining us 18 months ago. His knowledge, passion and approach have helped us achieve great things and the results speak for themselves. We are proud to see him take the next step in his career and look forward to seeing all the great things he will accomplish in his new role.” 

Luke said: “Since I joined the team has added seven new sites to the development pipeline and I look forward to building on this progress in my new role, working alongside my colleagues and appointed agents to bring these sites to market in the near future.”

Bramhall Village Square is a thriving local shopping centre in Stockport and part of Wain Estates’ managed property portfolio.

Recent investment has seen the creation of a new play area for the under 5’s, new signage, a book library and we organise a series of events throughout the year.

New occupiers include a large store for Trek Bikes with a service and repair workshop as well as large retail space and the first permanent Banking Hub in Greater Manchester.

The Hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday, 9am-5.00pm.

It also offers a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the Hub:

• Monday: NatWest
• Tuesday: Barclays
• Wednesday: Santander        
• Thursday: Lloyds
• Friday: Halifax

We combined two units to create a large and welcoming space which as well as the post office counter also has a private meeting room for customers to discuss their personal banking matters.

Paul Wrigglesworth, Wain Estates property director, said: “When the final bank in Bramhall closed, we actively approached Cash Access to explore the possibility of bringing a Banking Hub to the Square and are absolutely delighted to now see it open.

“It will provide a vital banking service, needed not just by members of the community but by the many independent shops and businesses in Bramhall Village Square and the wider village centre.”

Gareth Oakley, CEO, Cash Access UK: “I’m delighted to see the opening of our Bramhall Hub in the Village Square. As well as supporting continued access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents, it will provide a boost to local businesses too.”

More information about Banking Hubs here: cashaccessuk@cicero-group.com.

We are delighted to welcome two new directors who will head up the planning and land teams

Ryan James has been recruited as Land Director while Neil Lewis joins as Planning Director. Both have extensive experience in both the public and private development sector and will be based at our head office at Birchwood.

Managing Director Angela Heaney, said: “Over the last 12 months we have been recruiting dynamic people with the right skills and ethos to help Wain Estates achieve its national growth.

“The coming 12 months will see major assets progressed and brought to market and we are equally ambitious to continue to acquire new sites across England. 

“Ryan and Neil both have the experience and vision to help us do this in the most positive and productive way and I am extremely pleased we now have an impressive team in place.”

Ryan, who joins from Equans UK & Ireland, previously worked with Knowsley Borough Council helping to deliver the authority’s successful local plan.

He said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity offering a national role within a very focussed team. 

“Wain Estates has a unique ethos and USP, offering a full service to land owners and the ability to make swift decisions with a lack of red tape.

“The portfolio of land has grown significantly in the last few years and as these opportunities are brought forward, that pipeline needs to be replenished.”

Neil will use his extensive experience in strategic planning to help create legacy developments that greatly benefit communities. 

He said: “As well as working with the whole Wain Estates team on some exciting projects, I am really impressed with the culture of the business, its commitment to staff and contribution to the communities where it works. That team approach runs through everything we do and is hugely rewarding for everyone.”

Wain Estates has submitted plans for a new industrial and logistics hub offering state-of-the-art, energy efficient facilities, strategically placed with easy access to the regional and national transport network.
 
The Junction will provide 1m sq. ft. (95,000sq m) of employment space and is the latest phase of Carrington Estate, an ambitious long-term project to redevelop a former petrochemical site in south west of Manchester.
 
The Junction proposals will provide significant environmental improvements with extensive native tree and shrub planting, new and varied habitat creation, as well as investment into sustainable transport links with new footpaths and dedicated cycle ways.
 
Carrington Estate managing director, Jack Brister, said: “Carrington is well placed to serve not just Greater Manchester but the wider economy and the redevelopment of the Carrington Estate as a regional asset for employment and housing will play an important part in delivering continued, sustainable growth.
 
“It is an exciting and complex project with many phases and we are pleased to submit this application for The Junction which will help meet the continued demand for high quality, easily accessible, energy efficient and sustainable logistics and industrial space.
 
“The Junction offers the only location in the region that can comfortably accommodate larger scale units of up to 500,000 sq. ft. which will attract blue chip companies, creating in the region of 1,600 jobs together with multiple training opportunities.” 
 
Indicative plans for the site are for two large scale buildings and a third, smaller unit all accessed from a new entrance on Isherwood Road.
 
Jack added: “The vast majority of the application site is on previously developed land, much of it now used simply as open storage which provides little in the way of employment or amenity. 
 
“The proposals will target net zero, provide a significant ecological enhancement area with investment in a linked sustainable transport network and will positively transform the area without intruding.
 
“We continue to work closely with local groups and regulatory bodies to ensure we redevelop this brownfield site in a considered manner which addresses local and regional needs and delivers on the key principles of environmental betterment and sustainability.”
 
A planning application for The Junction has been lodged with Trafford Borough Council and if approved construction could begin end of 2023 / 2024.

We are delighted to welcome Natalie Webster, as Associate Planning and Development Director, with a brief to lead strategic projects from acquisition, to gaining planning to disposal to the open market.

Natalie spent five years with Homes England as Senior Planning and Enabling Manager, most recently working on York Central, a 45ha brownfield regeneration site in York, with potential to deliver up to 2,500 homes and 87,693m2 of office space, 11,991 sqm retail and leisure, 400 bed hotel a new central park and other community uses. 

She was also responsible for delivering sites such as Omega, Warrington, Omega West, St Helens, Basford East, Crewe and a number of other key sites. Previous roles included Pre-Construction Project Manager at The Co-operative Group and Senior Planner at Arup, Manchester.

Natalie said: “The ethos of the Wain Group really attracted me and Wain Estates is a strong and exciting business with a large number of sites offering huge potential and I really wanted to be part of making that happen. The team is expanding and there is a clear vision with inspiring leadership determined to make a difference.” 

Angela Heaney, Managing Director at Wain Estates, said: “Natalie brings a broad knowledge and hands-on experience to the team and I am delighted to have her on board. Her ability to bring multiple stakeholders to the table and make progress is a huge asset and critical to bringing sites to the open market. 

“This is an exciting time for Wain Estates as we continue to build a team of people with a range of experience, skills and contacts to drive the business and deliver positive outcomes.”

We are delighted to welcome three new colleagues to our Land Promotion division.

Senior Project Manager Dean Fisher and Land Manager Luke Hopkins together with Land and Planning Surveyor Amelia Lewin will work alongside Managing Director Angela Heaney as we continue to grow the team.
 
Dean has extensive experience of strategic land promotion and planning, having worked for a large strategic land promoter and house builder where he held similar project manager roles.
 
Following an agency graduate placement, Luke, has worked for the last two years identifying and securing sites across the North West for housebuilder Bellway.
 
Amelia, a graduate from Northumbria University, is working towards her RICS qualification and joins from Harrow Estates.
 
Angela said: “The pace of work at Wain Estates Land Promotion has ramped up in the last six months and I am delighted to welcome three more key members to the team as we continue to deliver our portfolio and expand our reach.
 
“We have had notable successes, pushing into new areas and developing strong relationships to secure new sites and this will continue.
 
“Our people are key to this and it is an exciting time as we build a team based on the Wain ethos of integrity and doing the right thing.”

Wain Estates Development Managing Director, Jack Brister, experienced a sense of familiarity when he returned to his former school to deliver career advice to year seven students.

Jack was joined by our Project Manager Will Young at Urmston Grammar School in Greater Manchester to engage with the students about the diverse range of jobs and careers available in the development and regeneration industry, whilst also providing them with some interesting insight into the current regeneration of the nearby Carrington Estate by Wain Estates.

The visit was part of the school’s Careers and Personal and Social Education (PSE) provision and students learnt how to pursue careers in the many different professional areas involved in regeneration projects, including ecology, quantity surveying, planning and development, project management and law.

Jack and Will also advised on making informed university degree choices, capitalising on the options that can open up in the early stages of a young person’s career and exploring different professional avenues as they emerge.

Natasha Kinder, Head of Careers at Urmston Grammar School said: “Thank you to both Jack and Will for delivering an enjoyable and informative careers session for our young learners and encouraging them to aim high.

“Year Seven had a multitude of questions and were particularly keen to ask about the optimal subjects to study in school to plan for careers in these areas, and about the daily challenges and rewards of working in this field. 

“Of great interest to our students was the environmental aspect of regeneration, and Jack and Will explained the importance of biodiversity net gain to the project, and the strategies used to ensure that the surrounding environment, areas and community are positively impacted by the development.”

Jack added: “It felt strange to be walking back into my old school but hugely satisfying to play a small part in supporting the development of local young people as they progress through their education.

“The regeneration of Carrington Estate will continue for the next 15 years so hopefully we have not only inspired some of the students to consider future careers in the regeneration sector but have also given them an understanding of what is happening in their local area and the benefits it will bring.

“Who knows, perhaps some of them may become my colleagues in the years to come.”

We are delighted to welcome Danielle Grimshaw to the Wain Estates team as our in-house Management Accountant.
 
With more than a decade of experience we know she will be a huge asset to the company as we continue to expand.
                                          
Danielle, 27, who got a Saturday job book-keeping while still at school, is a passionate advocate for apprenticeships and work-based learning.
 
She said: “I always knew I wanted to be an accountant and discovered you could take your AAT qualifications while working so wrote to all the local firms in my area giving them information about an AAT apprenticeship scheme and asking if they would take me on.”
 
“Ella Associates gave me the opportunity and I qualified with them. I passionately believe that, for many people, learning on the job is the best way and not only trains you for the specific role but also for the world of work.”
 
She said: “I made the jump from practice into industry in 2020 and really enjoyed the fully hands on role.
 
“The opportunity to join Wain Estates was too good to miss. It is privately owned with a great ethos and it is a really supportive and inclusive place to work.”
 
Speaking about Danielle’s appointment, Wain Estates’ finance director Mark Booth said: “We are delighted to have Danielle join the team as the scale and momentum of work across the business continues to grow.
 
“Her skill and enthusiasm will help support this growth.”

We are excited to announce changes that will help Wain Estates in its mission of ambitious place-making, providing jobs, delivering new homes and creating thriving community hubs.
 
The company will now operate as two divisions: Wain Estates Development led by Managing Director Jack Brister, and Wain Estates Land Promotion, led by Managing Director Angela Heaney.
 
Wain Group Executive Chairman Will Ainscough, said: “The changes allow a fully dedicated team to focus on delivering the most important land asset within the Wain Group – Carrington Estate – with quality design and place-making at its heart. 
 
“It also gives us an opportunity to build a land promotion team that can focus on third party landowners and operate independently from the Group’s other land interests. The separation will allow the division to become a fully-fledged land promoter presenting all its opportunities to the open market.”
 
Jack, who joined Wain Estates in 2019, said: “This is a hugely exciting time. We have a great team and have achieved a lot over the last couple of years. We are now in a position to really deliver on the potential at Carrington and have a number of projects at various stages in the delivery pipeline.
 
“Carrington Estate presents a major resource for jobs and homes for the whole region and our ambition and commitment is to deliver the very best we can.”
 
Experienced land professional Angela Heaney has been recruited to head up the Land Promotion team supported by Planning Manager, Nicholas Mills. The division is already promoting 3,950 residential homes on behalf of third party landowners, but is aspiring to evolve into one of the UK’s leading promoters. 
 
Angela, who has previously worked as a Director for a national housebuilder and a large strategic land promotion company, will be looking to build a new team dedicated to growing the business across England.
 
Angela said: “I was attracted not only by the scope and potential of the role, but the culture and values of the Wain Group. You can feel there is a real sense of doing things in the right way to create the best outcomes for landowners. We also have the financial resource and wider Group support to help achieve our objectives.”
 
Will Ainscough added: “Our motivation is to make Wain Estates the best working environment with clearly defined strategies and career prospects. We want to create the right atmosphere for people to achieve their goals and ambitions.”

Wain Estates has moved in to a new home in Warrington following Wain Group’s acquisition of Fontwell House, a modern 13,223 sq.ft two-storey office on Trident Business Park in Birchwood.

The new Wain Estates headquarters will also house the Wain Homes Hub – the centralised support functions for all regions of ‘sister’ company Wain Homes, including marketing, IT, design, procurement and finance.

Will Ainscough, Wain Group executive chairman, said: “Birchwood is Warrington’s primary office location and is an ideal base for the Group.

“Fontwell House offers all the services and amenities you would expect in a 21st Century office with first class facilities making it a desirable place to work and giving easy access to our regional Wain Estates developments and regeneration projects.

“Having access to the very best, modern office space is incredibly important to the wellbeing of all our team and makes us an attractive proposition for talented people looking for the next steps in their careers.”