Galliard chief to move to rival housebuilder

Galliard Homes’ chief executive, Don O’Sullivan, is to leave the housebuilder after 21 years. O’Sullivan is understood to be looking to move to a rival housebuilder and is in talks with Berkeley Homes. Berkeley Homes recently announced the departure of Sean Ellis, the chairman of the St James business, Berkeley Homes Eastern Counties and the St William joint venture with National Grid. O’Sullivan will leave Galliard at the end of March and Stephen Conway, co-founder and executive chairman, will resume the chief executive position. Further moves will see Darren Maguire appointed to the board as managing director of Galliard Construction and Amanda Dijk promoted to finance director. During his time at Galliard, O’Sullivan rose through the ranks as contracts manager, construction director, managing director and chief executive. Galliard Homes was founded in 1992 and is the largest privately-owned residential developer in London. The company has more than 300 staff, a £3.44bn development portfolio under construction comprising 6,392 homes with 1,208 homes being marketed for sale, and 0.76m sq ft of commercial space. Berkeley Homes has around 2,800 employees. The company reported revenue of £2.2bn in the year ended April 2021, with pre-tax profit of £518.1m and 2,825 homes completed in the year. It has a market capitalisation over £5bn. Don O’Sullivan, chief executive of Galliard Homes, said: “Working with Stephen Conway for 21 years has been an extraordinary privilege. He is a skillful entrepreneur, with superlative business instinct; and his kind heart is never far from the surface. I wish Stephen and the Conway family every success in the bright Galliard future.” Stephen Conway, executive chairman of Galliard Homes, said: “The Galliard of today is unrecognisable from the Galliard of 21 years ago and that is, in large part, due to Don’s dynamism – and will be his legacy. I will be forever grateful to him for the commitment and energy he has given to our business and we wish him well for the future.” Berkeley Homes declined to comment. Galliard Homes did not comment on O’Sullivan’s prospective appointment to Berkeley Homes. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @EGPropertyNews Image © Grant Frazer