Weston Group has unveiled Weston Partnerships, a new division designed to foster development partnerships and joint ventures across the build-to-rent (BTR) sector, local authorities and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) site disposals.
The division will also support businesses requiring modern methods of construction (MMC) components for housing delivery, including retirement homebuilders, student accommodation providers and regional developers.
The move marks a significant expansion for Weston Group, complementing its established affordable housing and market sale operations through Weston Homes.
Weston Partnerships will leverage the company’s expertise in new builds, conversions, and off-site construction, underpinned by British Offsite, Weston Group’s MMC subsidiary, which provides factory-built housing components to deliver sustainable, high-quality homes at scale.
DRIVING GROWTH
Heading the new division is Steve Hatton, Development Director, working alongside Peter Gore, Chief Executive of Weston Group and Bob Weston (main picture), Chairman, to drive growth and operations. Weston Partnerships has already secured key agreements across its targeted sectors.
In the BTR market, Weston Partnerships has signed an agreement with Royal London Asset Management, a division of the UK’s largest mutually owned pensions provider, to develop rental homes at Bracknell Beeches and Town Quay in Barking. The projects will deliver a total of 411 units.
For local authority housing, Weston Partnerships has partnered with Barking and Dagenham Council via Be First, the council’s regeneration arm, to construct affordable homes at Town Quay. Weston Homes will build and deliver the completed properties on a ‘turn-key’ basis.
Beyond these partnerships, Weston Partnerships is collaborating with retirement homebuilders, local developers, and contractors seeking MMC building solutions. Notably, British Offsite’s UniSystemLB will be deployed across three developments in collaboration with Elkins Construction.
British Offsite will also play a key role in a new student accommodation project at Orchard Park, Cambridge, developed in partnership with Vertex Living.
Weston Group’s expansion through Weston Partnerships is part of a broader strategy that spans five established business divisions: Weston Homes (housebuilding), British Offsite (MMC manufacturing), Weston Business Centres (serviced offices), Stansted Environmental Services (environmental consultancy), and Weston Logistics (construction logistics and warehousing).
HOUSING DELIVERY
Steve Hatton says: “Our priority is to work closely with our partners to help accelerate housing delivery, improve affordability, drive MMC innovation and uphold the highest construction standards. Through this expansion we are well positioned to make a meaningful impact on the future delivery of housing.”
Peter Gore says: “Whilst the group will continue to operate within the build-to-sell sector via our core Weston Homes division, the housebuilding industry has changed dramatically over the last few years and it is important for us to expand and create new income streams for the business.
“The build-to-rent, local authority and some of the other deals we have already secured have the advantage of being forward funded providing an upfront income stream which is highly advantageous for our cash flow and financial strength.”
And Bob Weston, Chairman of Weston Group, adds: “By harnessing our industry experience and British Offsite’s advanced construction technology, we can build more efficiently and at greater scale. This initiative reinforces our dedication to delivering sustainable communities while strengthening our partnerships across the housing sector.”
