Opus Land appoints Ben Hooton to the role of Development Director
Opus Land, one of the most active development companies in the West Midlands, has recently appointed Ben Hooton to the role of Development Director to help grow the firm’s pipeline.
Ben will be responsible for identifying and securing new development and joint venture opportunities, where land can either be purchased unconditionally or be the subject of a promotion agreement. Ben will be looking to identify both previously developed sites that are suitable for mixed use development, or greenfield land appropriate for larger commercial and/or residential schemes, with a focus on providing developments with enhanced ESG credentials.
Prior to joining Opus, Ben was at M7 where he helped to deliver the redevelopment of The Green in Solihull, a major 50-acre brownfield redevelopment scheme. Before M7, Ben worked for Endurance Estates, where he was responsible for identifying, securing and delivering sites for residential development. Ben was instrumental in delivering a scheme for 1,200 houses, a school, care homes and a local centre in Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Ben began his career working in planning consultancy, progressing to the role of Director with both DTZ and Turley Associates, and acted on behalf of a number of national clients across a wide range of sectors.
Victoria Turnbull, Joint Managing Director of Opus Land, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Ben to the team, who brings with him a wealth of experience from his 20 years working in the property sector. Ben will be an integral part of the firm’s growth plans over the coming months as we look to increase our pipeline and deliver even more high-quality, strategic development in and around the Midlands.”
Opus Land is an established real estate company with a successful track record of developing and investing in property across the UK for over 20 years. The firm is currently on the lookout for more sites across the West Midlands so get in contact if you have any sites that may be of interest.
Opus Land and Savills Investment Management purchased a brownfield site, which was formerly a Ford Factory car park and obtained planning for a 60,000 sq. ft retail space, located just 0.5 miles from the town centre and 15 minutes’ walk from the train station.
Together with their joint venture partner, Manse LLP, and on behalf of Rolls-Royce, Opus Land are delivering more than 2 million sq. ft of space at Prospero, Ansty, starting with a 490,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility for Meggitt PLC.
Opus Land and Bridges completed an 153,800 sq. ft unit with 16 loading doors at the Kingwood Lakeside Business Park in Cannock.
A 160,950 sq. ft multi-let office, three miles from Birmingham city centre which underwent a comprehensive refurbishment programme by Opus Land and was sold for £24.25m.
