Story appoints Cook as non-exec director
The Carlisle-headquartered housebuilder has brought on board Mark Cook, who joins from Persimmon Group, where he worked for 27 years.
Cook has been appointed as non-executive director at Story Homes and joined the company’s board on 1 February.
He has more than 40 years’ experience in the housebuilding sector, most recently holding the post of group sales and marketing director at Persimmon after previously serving as its managing director for the North West, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Cook also served as chairman of the Home Builders Federation’s North West chapter last year, advising on how to steer the industry through the turbulent period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “Having worked at a national PLC for almost three decades, I was delighted to accept this role and begin a new chapter with Story Homes.
“This is an impressive business with a strong vision and reputation for building high-quality homes. Story has great potential for the future, and I am looking forward to working with [owner and chairman] Fred Story, chief operating officer Colin Wood and the senior management team to advise and support the company as it continues to build on its success.”
Story is due to complete around 600 homes in the full-year 2020/21 across its three operating regions of Cumbria and Scotland, the North East and the North West.
Fred Story added: “Having known Mark for over 20 years, I am very pleased to welcome him to our business. He is a proven leader in our industry, and we will undoubtedly benefit from his extensive experience, guidance and strong track record in the housebuilding sector.
“The last 12 months has not been without its challenges, but the construction industry remains resilient and our business has responded superbly to the crisis. There is a strong demand for our homes, and we are focussed on growing Story Homes while ensuring our build quality and customer experience remain top priority.”
Among its schemes, Story won planning approval for the 119-unit second phase of its Waterside residential scheme in Cottam, near Preston, last month.
It ran a consultation on 89 new homes in Kendal last October, and is also building 149 homes off Carleton Road in Penrith, also in Cumbria.
