Gleeson Homes chief exec leaves business after restructure

The move follows a restructuring at the company after “gross margin had come under pressure through the year due to the cumulative impact of a number of headwinds.”

Parent company MJ Gleeson led a review of the business called Project Transform last Autumn after “issues around process and compliance with procedures within the business, which were resulting in cost overruns, had been identified.”

The review identified the need for organisational and management changes “designed to shorten reporting lines, empower the divisional leadership teams and strengthen regional management as well as reinforcing controls and driving local ownership and accountability.”

The changes which have mainly now been completed at a cost of £1.2m mean:

• Mark Knight has stepped down from his role of Chief Executive of Gleeson Homes and left the business.
• The Northern division will continue to be run by Andy Davies.  The Central division will be run by Scott Stothard who is joining the business from Vistry where he was Divisional Chair
• Simon Topliss, previously Gleeson Homes Finance Director, has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for central functions, driving performance and governance

The board now expects that profit before tax and exceptional items for FY2026 will be at or around £24.5m – the lower end of current market expectations.

Graham Prothero, CEO of MJ Gleeson said: “This was a challenging year for Gleeson.

“As well as external factors, it had become clear that our commercial delivery was not where we needed it to be. Over the last nine months we have therefore been implementing at pace management changes which will significantly benefit the business through FY2026 and beyond.    

“These changes will also ensure the delivery of our strategic objectives.

“Whilst we do not expect any significant economic recovery in the short-term, we are maintaining a robust sales rate.  This, along with our remedial actions, gives me confidence that we have a stronger business which will deliver our projections for the current year and our significant growth plans over the medium-term.”