Market challenges restrict SMEs’ ability to recruit apprentices – HBF
Most SMEs think apprenticeships are vital to addressing the skills shortage, but market constraints are inhibiting housebuilders’ ability to recruit and train them, according to the Home Builders Federation. As the industry marks National Apprenticeship Week (February 9-15), HBF’s research shows that 95% of SME housebuilders recognise the key role apprentices play in expanding the workforce. However, less than 16% of smaller businesses – representing around 80% of the construction industry – currently take on apprentices.
Gleeson’s half year profit drops
Gleeson’s profit fell 53% during its half year, with the business undertaking further restructuring but reporting an increase in homes built. During the six months ending December 31 2025, the housebuilder and strategic land specialist’s pre-tax profit fell from £3.6 million in H1 2024/25 to £1.7 million. Group revenue grew 9.6% to £173.1 million with 848 homes sold, up from the previous year’s 801. Group operating profit dropped 17.6% to £4.2 million.
Jennie Daly appointed Future Homes Hub chair
Jennie Daly, chief executive of Taylor Wimpey, has been appointed new chair of the Future Homes Hub. Daly will take over the role from David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Redrow, on June 10. Thomas became the Hub’s first chair in 2022. Daly has built a successful career in homebuilding across both the public and private sectors. She was awarded a CBE for services to business and housing in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List.
Spring season key to Barratt Redrow 2026 performance
Barratt Redrow delivered 7,444 total home completions in the six months to December 28 2025, 4.7% ahead of last year’s aggregated total home completions (7,107). Its half year results reveal that adjusted profit before tax was £199.9 million, 13.6% below last year (£231.4 million adjusted aggregated profit before tax). Margin stood at 8.0%. The firm reported that the Redrow integration is progressing well.
Bellway reports “robust” half year but sluggish sales
Bellway has reported a “robust” half year performance, with housing completions growing 2.7% and the housebuilder on track to deliver full year volume completions but with private sales down. Issuing an update for the sixth months to January 31 2026 ahead of its interim results on March 24, Bellway said that during the period, its housing completions increased from 4,577 homes in H1 2025 to 4,702, with private completions representing 79% of the total, the same as 2025.
HBF Policy Conference panel to discuss policy reform impact
The Home Builders Federation’s Policy Conference takes place next month, with an expert panel set to explore recent planning policy reform. During the Policy Conference on March 24, the panel – entitled “Planning for 1.5 million homes” – will consider the impact of policy reform on the industry’s ability to deliver the government's ambitious homes target.
Industry celebrates New Homes Week 2026
Housebuilders have been marking New Homes Week, with the theme this year of the “Power to Move.” Running from Monday February 2 to Sunday February 8, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has focused on a key topic each day to explore and demonstrate the benefits of buying new. These have included lower energy costs, dedicated support, everything being brand new and the ability to make new friends in a new community.
SME report highlights critical affordability issue during New Homes Week
A lack of affordability for first-time buyers is a major barrier to SME growth, with 84% of smaller housebuilders citing a lack of demand support as a hurdle, according to the SME State of Play survey. The industry has highlighted the survey, produced by the Home Builders Federation, Close Brothers Property Finance and Travis Perkins, as it marks New Homes Week, with the theme this year of the “Power to Move”. The three organisations involved in the report said that its research underlined the need for dedicated support for prospective buyers to give them the power to buy and for SMEs to have the power to build.
Vistry picks James Lidgate as group development director
Vistry has appointed Taylor Wimpey md James Lidgate as its group development director. Lidgate, who also joins Vistry’s executive leadership team, has amassed more than 25 years’ experience with some well-known housebuilders and developers. As well as most recently being Taylor Wimpey's md, Lidgate has held various senior roles at Legal & General, including ceo of L&G Homes, regional chair of CALA and Legal & General Investment Management’s head of residential.
