Lainston - Appointment - Southampton

Date: 26 Mar 2008

A well-known property executive in Southampton has joined city-based housing developer Lainston.

Hazel Cook heads up the sales team after arriving from the Southampton office of UK housebuilder Barratt Homes, where she was part-exchange co-ordinator for nearly 13 years.

It is the second new-post appointment at Lainston, which has 20 plus staff, within weeks. Simon Burr, who spent 14 years at FTSE 100 company Associated British Foods, is the group's new finance director.

In her role as sales manager, Hazel is responsible for more than 250 homes which are currently either in production or in the pipeline on the south coast.

The mother-of-two, who commutes from Christchurch in Dorset, said: "I'm excited at the prospect of working with such a young dynamic company.

"Lainston's prices are within the buying range of first-time buyers and I'm looking forward to working with local estate agents, who I know well from my previous job, about our product."

Lainston managing director Russell Clarke said: "Hazel has hit the ground running and we're delighted to have someone with such local knowledge and experience."

The company is currently involved on four sites, including the £1.3m development at Victoria Road, Woolston, which is due to finish by September.

Named in honour of the former Second World War Spitfire factory, Supermarine, the scheme consists of 15 one and two-bedroom apartments priced from £122,950.

Another project is the £1.6m Sunday's Hill development at Bursledon Road, Hedge End, which is a new build of 13 one and two-bedroom apartments, with prices from £134,950. Work is due to finish by August.