About us - The hopkins team

ABOUT US

The Hopkins Team

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One team with a shared vision.

What unites everyone at Hopkins Homes is our dedication towards a shared goal: the building of exceptional houses that people are proud to call home.

To achieve this, we nurture the industry’s best emerging talent through apprenticeships and grant schemes. We encourage continual career development at every level and we have a board brimming with expertise and experience.

So that, at every stage of the business, our people work together to bring our shared vision to life.

Chris Severson - Chairman

Chris Severson

Chairman

Chris joined Terra Firma in 2023 as an Operating Managing Director. He has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles across a number of industries, including P&L management in financial services and construction, and leading business transformation for companies in FMCG, construction, financial services and telecommunications. He began his career as a US Marine and TOPGUN trained F/A-18 pilot.

Chris holds MBAs from Columbia Business School and London Business School, and a Masters from Marine Corps University. Chris is a non-executive Director for Annington Homes, serves as Chairman of untypical, and is also a non-executive Director for the US based non-profit 4-CT. Outside of his professional life, Chris is passionate about skiing, running, and CrossFit. He is a dedicated father to three daughters, cherishes family time and enjoy public speaking, writing, and promoting new thinking about leadership.  Chris believes in winning.

Heike O’Leary – Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

Heike O'Leary

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

A highly experienced marketing professional, Heike has worked with leading global organisations, both in-house and in agency, and has a wealth of experience in transforming businesses and their brands.

Prior to joining untypical, Heike has been Group Marketing Director for Lookers PLC, a Senior Brand Strategy Partner for 20.20 Consulting and Brand Marketing Director for adidas Golf. Her most recent position was Chief Marketing Officer with Haines Watts and she has been the European Business Development and Marketing European Vice Chair for GGI Global Alliance since 2023.

Graeme Smith

Group Innovation & Design Director

20+ years of experience in the housebuilding sector, Graeme is a trained Architect and developed skills through Architectural practices working directly with both Major and SME developers. Following consultancy Graeme transitioned into a role with Barratt, David Wilson Homes providing internal Technical and Design capabilities. Over his 8-year tenure here, he supported the division through significant growth enabling the development of two additional regions. Experience gained here saw him head hunted by the Hopkins team to improve internal efficiencies in Design whilst also incorporating the ESG ambitions of the Stakeholder. After 2 years of developing the Hopkins brand, Graeme has stepped up to the role of Group Innovation and Design Director ensuring untypical create places where our own people want to live, as well as making a positive difference in our local communities, by being bold and innovative, exploring new ideas and new exceptional homes. Right for our people, our planet, and our communities.

Shane Vinyard - Change Director

Shane Vinyard

Change Director

Shane is an experienced professional with a proven record in quality assurance, operations management, training design and delivery within the construction and security sectors. He is a highly experienced security professional with an Advanced Diploma in Counter Terrorism Operations from the University of St Andrews with specialisation in aviation, maritime and close protection security.

Shane, who previously held the position of Head of Quality following the merger of Hopkins Homes and Tilia Homes, stepped into the pivotal role of Change Director helping shape and drive the untypical commitment to excellence, customer centricity and innovation.

Danny Wilson – Group Legal Director

Danny Wilson

Group Legal Director

Having joined Tilia Homes in May 2021, Danny oversees all the business’ legal and compliance enquiries, as well as carrying out the company secretarial function.

He has trained and qualified at leading city law firms prior to starting at Tilia Homes and has held multiple roles in the residential property sector, including seven years at Places for People, one of the largest housing associations in the UK. Danny is now fulfilling this role for both Tilia and Hopkins Homes following the creation of untypical.

Duncan Jackson Hopkins Homes managing director

Duncan Jackson

Managing Director

A renowned leader within the sector, Duncan has over 17 years’ experience in senior executive roles and a strong land-acquisition background, making him ideally placed to drive the strategic direction of Hopkins Homes as we enter our next phase of growth. Duncan established the ‘North Home Counties’ region for housebuilder, CALA Group from its inception in 2014. Under his leadership, the company experienced substantial growth, delivering a significant number of homes and generating a substantial turnover last year. CALA Group operates throughout Scotland, the Midlands and the Southeast of England.

Steve Jenkins headshot

Steve Jenkins

Interim Finance Director

Steve is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience across multiple sectors. His career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and includes senior roles at companies including Saga, STA Travel, and Taylor Wimpey (formerly, George Wimpey). His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Hopkins Homes as the company embarks on a period of strategic growth. Steve’s extensive expertise and financial knowledge are expected to play a crucial role in supporting the company during this phase.

Matt Ward

Land Director

Matt (MRICS) has over 20 years’ experience in the industry, previously working for Barratt David Wilson Homes where he grew the company’s portfolio of developments, most recently in the position of Development Director. Matt joined Hopkins as Land Director in August 2021. He is responsible for Hopkins Homes’ new land opportunities, bringing more of our exceptional and in-demand homes to East Anglia.

James Linnett Commercial Director

James Linnett

Commercial Director

James brings with him a wealth of industry experience having worked on mixed tenure developments across London and the South East. Having completed a BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management, James began his career as a Quantity Surveyor and quickly worked his way up to leading a commercial team as Commercial Director with Countryside Partnerships.

Jamie Howe - Hopkins Homes Construction Director

Jamie Howe

Construction Director

Jamie was appointed Director of Construction in 2023 after joining Hopkins Homes as an Assistant Site Manager in 2001. Jamie’s incredible attention to detail and vast building knowledge has been merited with several awards. During his time with Hopkins Homes, Jamie has won the NHBC Pride in the Job award 4 times, NHBC Seal of Excellence twice and the NHBC Regional Seal of Excellence once.

We’re always looking for talented people

If you can’t see a suitable vacancy on our Join our Team page but want to become a valuable part of the Hopkins Group, then we want to hear from you.

Send your CV and covering letter to hr@hopkinshomes.co.uk or to our Head Office address below.