Bowkett made chair just over a week after housebuilder Gladedale hire him for same non-executive role

Retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone has appointed Alan Bowkett chair just over a week after struggling housebuilder Gladedale also appointed him chair.

The former Redrow chair became non-executive chair on January 15, but has only just released the news to the market.

Bowkett was CEO of Berisford in the 1990s and is currently non-executive chair at three other firms, including Gladedale and Norwich City Football Club.

He has a reputation for turning around struggling companies after bringing berisford from near bankruptcy into the FTSE250. McCarthy & Stone was one of the first housebuilders to be hit by the housing market crash, and has now lost about half of its 1,000-strong workforce since its peak. It agreed a refinancing with its lenders, primarily the Bank of Scotland, last February.

Howard Phillips, chief executive of McCarthy & Stone, said: “Alan’s experience will be of great benefit to us as we strive to deliver best value for our customers and shareholders, and as we continue to differentiate our business in the market place."

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