Gleeson chooses veteran North East builder to head housing arm

Gleeson has appointed Jolyon Harrison as managing director of Gleeson Regeneration & Homes, based in Sheffield and Bury.

Harrison, 61, said he looked forward to the challenge of making Gleeson a serious player in the affordable homes-for-sale marketplace. 

He succeeds Colin Rossiter, who continues his other role as managing director of Gleeson Capital Solutions, which secures and invests in social housing PFI contracts.

Harrison has enjoyed a 40-year career in house building in the North of England. Harrison was the chairman of Chesterfield-based Pelham Construction/NorthCountry Homes Group from 1995 to 2007.

Before that, he was managing director of York-based Shepherd Homes from 1984 to 1995 and at Wilcon Homes from 1976 to 1984, latterly as Regional Director in the North. 

Currently, he is chairman of York Housing Association and JDP Rooflines, a Co. Durham-based company involved in housing regeneration and repair, and a Council member of the Home Builders Federation.

Gleeson, Chris Holt, chief executive, said: "Jolyon Harrison has a proven track record, established over many years, in regeneration and social housing in the North of England, which is where Gleeson Regeneration & Homes has nearly all its operations."