Sawyer appointed to Manchester housing role

Jon Sawyer has been named as Manchester City Council’s director of housing and residential growth, taking up the position vacated by Paul Beardmore when he retired in March.

The role sees Sawyer also succeed Beardmore as chief executive of Manchester Place.

Jon is a chartered surveyor with 20 years of experience in advising on, and delivering, new homes for market sale and rent, affordable housing, student housing and housing for older people. This included advising the council on its Matrix Homes partnership with Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

He has also held a number of board roles including chair of North East Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, chair of audit at arms-length management organisation Nottingham City Homes and as a Government-endorsed board member involved in the rescue of failed housing association Cosmopolitan.

He has moved from property developer Igloo, where he was head of custom build housing. Sawyer will take up the post from in mid-August.

Sawyer said: “This role is a huge honour and an exciting opportunity. Manchester is a growing city, a place where more and more people want to live, but that housing demand comes with its own challenges and I’m passionate about ensuring that we have the vibrant places, high quality homes and housing choice which the city will need to meet those challenges in the years ahead.”

Cllr Suzanne Richards, executive member for housing and regeneration for Manchester City Council, said: “Our housing strategy, which is focused on delivering the housing Manchester people need now and in the future across a range of types and tenures, is fundamental to the success of the city and meeting the needs of current and future residents.

“This means creating true housing choice for our residents and creating homes that people can afford in neighbourhoods they want to live in.”