Four team members at Richborough have reached five years or more with the business, marking an important milestone in their time with us!
Their contribution over this period has played a valued role in supporting the continued growth of the company:
Nick Jones, Group Director of Richborough Commercial, established our commercial arm, creating a strong platform to support our growing workplace and logistics land portfolio.
Richard Lomas, Group Planning Director has brought deep planning expertise at a time when there has been major change in the UK’s planning landscape. His insight has been invaluable, leading strategies to secure valuable consents across our portfolio.
Jordan Gresham, Group Disposals Director helped to establish our disposals arm and plays a key role in identifying and securing the right development partners to bring our sites forward successfully.
Nick Matthews, our Technical Manager navigates and resolves complex technical challenges, from flood mitigation to access and ecology issues, his experience and knowledge helps ensure our sites achieve planning and are deliverable for the housebuilder.
Each with us for over half a decade, their dedication reflects not only long service, but also the depth of in-house expertise that drives our approach to unlocking land and delivering high-quality development. Together, they represent the breadth of skills we have in-house, from commercial and planning to technical and delivery, enabling us to take a holistic, design-led approach to development.
We asked each of them for their career highlights and industry insights for people entering land promotion:
Nick Jones: “Without question, my proudest moment is establishing Richborough Commercial to become the UK’s largest industrial and logistics land promoter, complementing Richborough’s well-established residential arm. Seeing that vision come to life has been hugely rewarding.”
Richard Lomas: “Securing appeal wins on two sites previously dismissed at appeal in Central Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire has been a real highlight. Others may have been tempted to cut their losses but to prevail at appeal a second time on both sites was a huge turnaround. For me, these sites epitomise Richborough’s tenacity and will to succeed for our landowners – and the rollercoaster world of planning!”
Jordan Gresham: “My advice for someone starting out would be, to get as much exposure as possible – planning, agency, housebuilding, they all give you valuable context. But don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills. Relationship-building, communication, emotional intelligence and a sense of humour are just as critical as technical knowledge. Be a good listener, pay attention to detail, and learn to read people. In strategic land, the numbers matter – but so do the people behind them.”
Nick Matthews: “A lot of value comes from quickly being able to spot and interpret different headline constraints Flood Risk, Drainage, Access etc but this alone doesn’t determine the difference between a developable site and deliverable site. Having a wider understanding and as much exposure to the full life cycle of sites is invaluable. Having a Civil engineering background I’m always biased towards the abnormal costs of the ground however understanding the impacts of the legals for rights and easements can have just a driving factor on determining the deliverability of a site.”
Karuna Bhatia, People and HR Business Partner said: “The team are part of the fabric of Richborough and what we’re all about – showing not only the range of skills we have in house at Richborough but also support, positivity and dedication to the company and their teams.
“We thank each of them for their continued dedication and contribution to Richborough’s ongoing success”