CityBlock has strengthened its team across its operations, design and accounts departments with the appointment of Samantha Davies as Head of Operations, Andrew Bargh as Urban Design Manager and Arran Whaite as Management Accountant. Here, we introduce the trio:

As Head of Operations, Samantha will manage all health and safety procedures, ongoing operational budgets, resident satisfaction and manage partnerships with third party suppliers, such as maintenance contractors. Samantha will also work with the operations team to ensure all developments in CityBlock’s portfolio continue to achieve 100% occupancy.

Samantha’s 12 years at Sanctuary Group as Operations Manager and further 10 years working in social housing and rehabilitation means she is perfectly placed to oversee all operational elements at CityBlock.

Andrew will manage the residential side of CityBlock, The Urban Project, overseeing everything from land acquisition through to the delivery of fit for purpose living spaces. The Urban Project aims to repurpose derelict industrial buildings into high-quality accommodation and its first development will be in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. You can read more about the launch of The Urban Project, here. Andrew’s background is in design engineering with a focus on sustainability, having founded Solvo Design. This platform allows studios and students to showcase sustainable product designs that help contribute towards a better way of thinking about future products.

Andrew will be translating this experience into the residential market, ensuring all properties CityBlock develops are designed in line with the values of the company and with residents at the heart. Andrew is also undertaking a part-time Masters in Real Estate Development to supplement his design knowledge.

Arran has four years’ experience in the accounts sector, having been Accounts Manager at Purely Creative, a Lancaster based competition designer. Arran’s remit at CityBlock will include managing the accounts for all sites, operational cash flows, annual budgets and overseeing the purchase ledger process. Alongside his work at CityBlock, Arran is studying with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, to further develop his skill set.