Britain’s largest Homebuilder, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, has welcomed a new Managing Director, the company has announced.
Gavin Birch joins the board as Managing Director following Ian Ruthven’s retirement, who has served 18 years at the company. The Managing Director is responsible for overseeing all the departments including Land, Technical, Commercial, Financial and Sales.
Gavin has 31 years experience in the construction industry, having started his career as an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor in 1992 at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East division in York. Working under the then Technical Director, Steven Boyes, who is now the Group Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, Gavin progressed through the ranks as Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Chief Quantity Surveyor, Technical Manager and then Commercial Manager before being made Technical Director in 2006. In 2021, Gavin became Operations Director at Barratt Developments’ Yorkshire West division based in Morley, working closely alongside Ian Ruthven.
Ian Ruthven is retiring from his role as Managing Director after 18 years at Barratt Developments and over 30 years in the construction industry. From joining the Homebuilder as Sales Director in 2005, Ian progressed to Managing Director seven years later and has been responsible for the delivery of over 15,000 new homes during his career, business growth, build quality, people development and ensuring customer first principles are met at every point in the customer journey.
In addition to helping the Yorkshire West division go from strength to strength, Ian also chairs the Leeds committee for KidsOut, a national children’s charity helping disadvantaged and vulnerable children and providing positive experiences and days out. The Leeds committee has raised almost £1,000,000 for deserving children in challenging circumstances, earning Ian a KidsOut Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of his support for the charity. Ian will continue to support the charity into his retirement.
On his retirement, Ian Ruthven said: “I have had the pleasure to work with some exceptional people during my time at Barratt Developments. Gavin Birch is a natural leader and has a huge deal of experience and understanding behind him, so he brings a lot to the Yorkshire West division.”
“I know the team are looking forward to the knowledge and guidance that Gavin will provide to meet our aim to deliver quality homes across the West and South Yorkshire regions.”
Gavin Birch commented: “I’m thrilled to take on the role as Managing Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West. Having already worked for the Homebuilder for 31 years, I’m excited to step into this hugely rewarding role to lead the extremely talented Board of Directors.”
“It’s a privilege to work for the nation’s leading Homebuilder and I’m keen to help shape long term strategies and deliver quality housing to customers and support communities in the region.”
