Jonathan Fair

Mr Fair returns to Stewart Milne Homes after three years as regional managing director Scotland with McCarthy and Stone plc.

A former chief executive of Homes for Scotland, Mr Fair has just completed a three-year period as a non-executive director of the trade body which represents the home building sector across the country. He is also a member of the Industry Leadership Group within Construction Scotland.

Beginning his career as an apprentice architectural technician, Mr Fair has over 30 years’ experience in construction.

Stewart Milne Homes Central is one of the three homes divisions of independent home builder and timber systems manufacturer Stewart Milne Group.

Gerry More, group managing director for the homes divisions, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Jonathan back to Stewart Milne Homes. Having worked with Jonathan at Homes for Scotland, I know first-hand of his passion, commitment and expertise.

“His knowledge of the group and his wide-ranging experience of the sector will ensure that he hits the ground running and is able to steer the division through the challenging period we face as we emerge from lockdown.”

With 12 sites under development split evenly across the east and west of central Scotland, Stewart Milne Homes has taken a careful and phased approach to re-opening some of its developments and its sales centres. Operating on a by-appointment-only-basis, the sales centres have been fully equipped with all the necessary protocols and measures to protect people, including screens in place between sales staff and customers.

Cautiously optimistic about the short-term future, the housebuilder is preparing for an increase in interest and demand due to consumers looking for a new way of living as a result of lockdown.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Fair said: “It’s good to be returning to Stewart Milne Homes and I’m looking forward to working with the talented and professional teams who share my passion for delivering high quality new homes, using careful masterplanning and attractive landscaping and open spaces to create distinctive, new communities.

“COVID-19 has changed the way people live, but it has also changed what people want from their home. As a result, we’re expecting to see good levels of interest, particularly from people currently living in apartments who want to make the move to a well-designed home with a garden as soon as possible because they have found it very challenging during lockdown.”

Mr Fair takes up his position with immediate effect and will be working on a smooth transition with the current managing director James Crawford, who will retire in October.

Mr More added: “Everyone at the group is sad to see James leave and would like to pay tribute to his enthusiasm, professionalism and leadership which have successfully steered the division in central Scotland.”