Hamer Boot takes HBD reins

Property group Henry Boot’s development division will now be led on a permanent basis as managing director by Hamer Boot, who joined the business in 2013.

Boot has more than 20 years’ experience in real estate and finance. Having started his career with JP Morgan Chase, he joined HBD in 2013 from advisory powerhouse CBRE.

Since then, he has held various roles within the business, serving over the last six years as executive director – investment and funding.

In December 2025 he assumed day-to-day responsibility for leading HBD’s strategic board, as part of a series of organisational changes to support future growth at the group.

Group-wide, the business sold off the construction division to its management team in September last year, and is taking over the rest of its Stonebridge Homes partnership.

Major projects on the HBD slate include up to 5.5m sq ft at Goole Freeport, which it is delivering with St John’s College Cambridge; and schemes within its Origin industrial joint venture with Feldberg Capital, including the £100m Aptus in Preston along with projects in Walsall and Markham Vale.

HBD has also recently delivered grade A central Manchester offices at Island.

Reporting directly to group chief executive Tim Roberts and representing HBD at executive committee and investment committee level, Boot will now become a permanent member of both committees.

Roberts – who is due to leave the firm later this year, to be replaced by Ed Hutchinson – said: “Hamer has made a significant contribution to the success of HBD over a long period of time and has shown strong leadership qualities since assuming the day-to-day running of the business last December.

“His experience and strong track record from both within and outside of the group give me together with the Board every confidence that he is exceptionally well placed to lead HBD on a permanent basis and to unlock the value from its £1.4bn development pipeline in the coming years. I am therefore very pleased to share the news of Hamer’s promotion.”

Boot added: “I am delighted to be taking this next step with HBD. I have seen the business continue to grow, delivering exceptional projects across the UK and am proud to be the leader of a business committed to creating impactful and sustainable places.”