Hill Group names new managing director
The Hill Group, one of the UK’s largest privately owned housebuilders, has named John Fitzgerald as managing director for its Eastern Residential and Western regions as it pursues a €2.7 billion turnover target by 2030.
Fitzgerald’s appointment supports the company’s goal to double its annual revenue within six years. This growth would place Hill among the fastest-expanding firms in UK housebuilding. The move reinforces its senior leadership team during execution of a five-year strategy announced last year.
In his new role, Fitzgerald will oversee key developments across southern England. Projects include Marleigh Park in Cambridge, Little Chalfont Park in Buckinghamshire, and Whalebones Park in Barnet. His responsibilities cover improving operational performance, building strong teams, and ensuring projects meet quality and safety standards.
Fitzgerald brings over 35 years of experience in construction and residential development. His career began at 16 with Willmott Dixon Construction, where he worked alongside Hill’s founder and CEO, Andy Hill. Their paths crossed again decades later, after Fitzgerald spent more than 20 years as group managing director at Telford Homes, now Telford Living.
Andy Hill, who received an OBE for services to housebuilding, described Fitzgerald as a respected leader with a history of developing talent and driving excellence. “John’s appointment strengthens our leadership team and will help deliver our strategic plan,” he said. “His experience leading complex organizations will support our growth.”
The timing of Fitzgerald’s hire aligns with changes in UK housing finance. Homes England, the government’s housing agency, has secured €53.7 billion to support construction of 1.5 million new homes by 2025, aiming for 300,000 annual net additions. A new National Housing Bank is expected to unlock an additional €58 billion in private capital. Meanwhile, local government pension schemes have started purchasing stabilized housing stock, a trend likely to grow as builders add rental delivery to their models.
Related: Paval invests in Lake Garda landmark revival
Hill stands to gain from these developments. Nearly half of its pipeline comes through joint ventures with local authorities, housing associations, and private partners. The company holds a landbank exceeding 42,000 homes and completed more than 3,300 homes in its last financial year.
Reaching the 2030 target would mark a major expansion for the firm. The UK’s planning system and labor market must keep up with such growth, especially as competition for land and skilled workers increases.
Founded in 1999 and now in its 27th year, The Hill Group has grown into the UK’s second-largest privately-owned housebuilder and a top 10 name in the sector, employing approximately 1,000 people from five regional offices including Bristol and Abingdon, alongside its Waltham Abbey head office.
Fitzgerald joins as the firm faces both opportunity and uncertainty. Government funding and institutional investment provide advantages, but rising material costs and planning delays remain challenges. Balancing growth with its long-standing focus on quality will determine whether Hill achieves its ambitious goals.
Its recent investments reflect confidence in regional markets. The company’s expansion aligns with trends in commercial real estate innovation seen across Europe, where urban centers are evolving to meet demand.
