Project Etopia hires director
The modular homes developer has appointed Beena Tanna, former commercial manager at BRE Group, as sales director as it works to increase production of its prefabricated housing units.
Project Etopia is based in Cambridge but last year opened a factory in Ellesmere Port aimed at producing 2,000 modular homes per year.
The 50,000 sq ft factory is a collaboration with 4wall, which produces a “panelised” construction system, similar to Project Etopia’s methodology. The facility aims to produce five three-bedroom homes per day and there are already plans to scale it up in future by adding two more machines to grow capacity to 6,000 units per year.
Tanna joins Project Etopia in a newly created role of business development and sales director.
She was previously at the building science and research organisation BRE Group, where she worked as commercial manager in charge of innovation parks and the group’s industry forum, Constructing Excellence.
Before that, Tanna worked for Intertek as business projects manager for 12 years and, previously, served as a director, UK and Ireland, for engineering firm ERATech.
In her new role, she is tasked with expanding Project Etopia’s work with councils and housing associations, to deliver affordable housing projects.
She will also be responsible for expanding the sales team and managing relationships with industry partners.
Joseph Daniels, chief executive of Project Etopia, said: “[Tanna’s] experience will be invaluable as we embark on our ambitions to address housing challenges in Britain and worldwide, and keep pace with demand for modern methods of construction.
Tanna said: “It’s a critical time for offsite construction methods in Britain and the company has made no secret of the fact it sees itself at the leading edge of this revolution in housing provision.
“Councils and housing associations are going to play a critical role in alleviating the housing crisis, and I’m looking forward to helping make their contribution a reality.”
Project Etopia is currently building 47 modular eco homes in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Last year, it announced a £19m investment by private equity firm Reuben Brothers and appointed hedge fund manager Lord Stanley Fink as its chairman.
