Mark Ewing Email & Phone Number

London Area, United Kingdom

Founded in 1993, Kitewood is a privately held property development and investment company based in the City creating niche schemes in London and the South East. The Company focuses on the following core activities:Residential DevelopmentThe company and team have an excellent track record of delivering well-conceived and executed developments in both the private and affordable sectors. Kitewood's experienced leadership team ensures the company uses in-house skills to maximise returns from acquisition, planning and construction through to ultimate sale.Through its astute acquisition programme the company has established a pipeline of significant projects throughout its area of operation. These schemes range from traditional housing to high rise inner city urban development projects.Commercial DevelopmentAfter many years of developing mixed use schemes, the company now undertakes standalone commercial developments either independently or with a partner. The source of some of these projects is generated from the company’s other interests.Strategic LandThe company continues to actively seek longer term land opportunities to add to its successful list of projects being promoted through the planning system. It is through this early identification of potential sites and its successful allocation for development that the group has another continued source of attractively priced land.CareThe company has established itself as a provider of niche well located Care sector sites, whether these be Nursing Homes or Extra/Assisted living schemes. Each site is assessed on rigorous commercial criteria and utilises the company’s in-house skills.Investment/Asset ManagementAs a result of the company policy of retaining a number of its previous developments for investment, the portfolio of both residential and commercial properties is increasing. The intention is to expand this part of the company’s activities substantially over the coming years.

Maidstone, England, United Kingdom

In line with the ongoing expansion of Chartway Partnerships Group following its acquisition by Cabot Square Capital LLP, I am Finance Director responsible for the core housebuilder business across South East England, reporting into the Group CFO. Chartway Partnerships are currently expanding their operating footprint from Kent into Essex, Sussex and Surrey, with a business plan targeting ambitious but managed growth over the medium term.Alongside long-established relationships with some of the country's leading Housing Associations, the business is now also partnering with blue-chip institutions who are forward funding the delivery of purpose-build Single Family Rental housing across the region.

Borough Of Maidstone, England, United Kingdom

Chartway Group are an award winning Kent-based development and construction group, operating across the South East, building great homes and delivering the best quality service since 2009. Following the acquisition of Chartway Group by Cabot Square Capital LLP in June 2022, I transferred from Public Sector plc to take on the role of Group Finance Director as a new addition to the senior team, reporting into the Group CFO.

London, United Kingdom

Strategy formulation with the Executive for this Central London Housing Association (830 residential units 35 commercial units) in the West End, stress testing the existing business model in to improve financial sustainability and facilitate a plan for targeted geographical expansion.Board comprises the CEO, 2 current residents and 8 experienced non-executives with varied backgrounds from across UK real estate sector.Audit Committee member, scrutinising business activities including corporate risk management, financial strategy and business planning, treasury management, governance and regulatory compliance.

United Kingdom

Public Sector Plc is a strategic asset management partner to the public sector.We partner with councils and housing associations to undertake all aspects of land and property activities, including zero carbon MMC housing delivery, asset management, strategic regeneration, development management, investment analysis and funding solutions with an emphasis on delivering wider socio-economic benefits to local communities.Working with our local authority and housing association partners, we’re helping to create revenue savings, capital creation and revenue income whilst developing best-in-class property solutions to support strategic estates objectives and property plans.

Nine Elms, London

Public Corporation engaged in the c. £300 million redevelopment of the largest wholesale market in the UK. Single site ownership, 2019/20 turnover £18m, 30 employees.Produced a complex options appraisal assessment that was integral to the settlement and resolution of a complex and well publicised litigation case connected with the redevelopment project. Pro-actively managed the severe impact of the pandemic for CGMA as a commercial landlord, which was heavily exposed through its tenants to the hospitality and events sectors. I worked with colleagues, the Board and key stakeholders to help secure the future survival of the business. Solvency was maintained during 2020 through a combination of rapid re-budgeting and pro-active working capital management for a period long enough for a longer-term funding solution to be negotiated.Managed complex stakeholder relationships alongside a non-executive Board, including an active and assertive tenant community, accountability to central government and a corporate development partner.Evolved a hands-on, consultative management style to motivate and challenge colleagues across all functions during a period of intense cultural change, deputising for the Chief Executive when required.Delivered effective financial control for this unique business that is charged with the rejuvenation of an important site for the London food economy by strengthening the finance team with Board support.Delivered improved commercial terms for an innovative letting to a culinary social enterprise benefitting from capital funding from the Greater London Authority (‘GLA’), whilst managing stakeholder relationships with the Board, the tenant and the GLA.

London, United Kingdom

Commercial finance negotiation and execution lead on various land acquisitions for the largest housing association in the UK (following the 2016 merger of Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing Group) including: ➢ A North London development SPV (133 units, GDV £75m) from a private equity fund➢ A former confectionary factory in York (258 units, GDV £80m) from a local developerNegotiated terms on project loan finance for such schemes with high street banks.Influenced commercial negotiations on and efficient structuring of joint venture partnerships with developers and house builders (e.g. Crest Nicholson, Countryside Properties, Mount Anvil) and longer-term strategic land deals with landowners and agents, including the ambitious Mayfields Market Town project in Sussex.Strategy formulation on the Group’s entry into the Build-to-Rent market, working with the CFO, external consultants JLL and senior colleagues across various functions.Supported and challenged senior colleagues across the land, development, finance and asset management functions from the perspective of financial / commercial strategy and corporate finance.

London, United Kingdom

Led this team to exchange of contracts on the company’s first site in central Birmingham, eventually acquired by the High Street Group in 2019 (504 units, GDV c. £135m), following Lupa Land Limited’s acquisition of Camborne Land Investments in 2017.CLI was a newly formed business within the privately held Camborne Capital Group, created to enter the UK ‘Build to Rent’ (‘BtR’) residential marketplace by sourcing and delivering purpose-built rental communities for investment/acquisition by institutional investors.Reporting to the Group CEO and Board, drove the formulation and implementation of the business plan.Recruited and led an inter-disciplinary team of 6 people to create capacity to originate capital, source and appraise land acquisitions and manage associated support processes, assisted by external consultants and advisors as required.

London, United Kingdom

Led, rebuilt and retained a team of 10 people to deliver financial management and control of an operating business delivering large-scale prime residential projects in central and south London, including One Tower Bridge (Southwark, GDV c. £500m), South Quay Plaza (Tower Hamlets, GDV c. £400-500m) and Saffron Square (Croydon, GDV c. £150-200m).Managed the joint venture relationship with London Borough of Southwark (‘LBS’) on the prestigious One Tower Bridge development, meeting regularly with senior officers at LBS to report on actual and forecast programme and financial returns.Implemented the business’ first structured human resources processes for induction, performance appraisal, on-going training and internal mentoring of employees, working with colleagues and advisors.Co-ordinated c. £200k of fundraising activities during 2014-15 for the business’ support of the Group’s registered charity, the Berkeley Foundation, having previously overseen staff selection of a local children’s charity partner in Tower Hamlets, and produced a partnership plan with that charity’s CEO.

London

Responsibility for the London office portfolio (2007-09), moving on to more complex remits connected with the larger UK retail portfolio (2009-13) including significant equity/debt interests in the privately held Value Retail (‘VR’) luxury European retail outlet portfolio.Produced bespoke financial models to tight deadlines to evaluate returns and influence decision-making on prime and super-prime office and shopping centre development projects and similarly for transactions involving major investment assets.Trusted finance business partner to senior colleagues across the business in the leasing, asset management and development management teams.Responsible for the production of timely and accurate financial information for plc and joint venture boards, assisting in managing significant stakeholder relationships including pension funds, real estate corporates and sovereign wealth funds invested in assets worth several £ billion.Financial management for the c. £500m debt & equity investment in VR; worked closely with VR executives to improve financial reporting for this Hammerson Associate.Led financial due diligence for the CFO on due diligence on the introduction of c. £100m additional debt and equity into VR, liaising with external legal and investment banking advisors.

London, United Kingdom

Developed bespoke financial models to evaluate financial returns and inform decision-making for new-build and estate regeneration projects.Co-ordinated debt covenant compliance with lending institutions.Delivered a redesigned format for the setting, monitoring and control of a significant corporate capital expenditure budget by successfully business partnering across functions.This followed an initial management accounting role in which I had responsibility for financial control and business planning for all subsidiary companies.

Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Successful completion of all ICAEW examinations at the first attempt becoming ACA qualified in 2003. 7th overall in the northern region in the advanced stage exams.Progressed to audit manager working on audit and advisory assignments with a variety of high-profile clients in the public, private and charitable sectors across the North East region.

Executive Mba, Business Administration, (Distinction)

One of Europe's leading business schools, with a strong reputation, based in the heart of the City of London. My final year project.

Ma, International Studies

The course covered such areas as International Political Economy, Political Risk, International Law and International Relations.

Ba (Hons) Politics And History

Education record

3 'A' levels (grades A/A/B) and 11 'O' levels and GCSEs.