March 2024

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March 2024 front cover

In this issue

Industry mostly welcomes CMA report.

In late February, the Competition and Markets Authority published the results of its year-long study into housebuilding. Housebuilder looks at some of the conclusions and gets the industry’s reaction.

The state of play for small housebuilders.

The recent State of Play report confirms that conditions for SME housebuilders are tougher than ever. Chris Windle talks to smaller companies about the challenges they face and what they would like to see the government do to help.

The Interview

Spencer McCarthy, Churchill Retirement Living. Spencer McCarthy, ceo and chairman of Churchill Retirement Living, talks to Suzie Mayes about 30 years of fronting a firm, the challenges the business has endured since Brexit and how he is continuing to support older buyers.

Regional Builder Hub to offer lifeline to SMEs

Ben Bolgar, the King’s Foundation’s executive director, and Edwin de Silva, secretariat for the APPG for SME housebuilders, are seeking to turn around the fortunes of SME housebuilders through the creation of a Regional Builder Hub initiative. Housebuilder finds out more.

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SWOT shows industry in turmoil

Following a trying 12 months for housebuilders, this year’s SWOT analysis exposes the desperate state of some in the industry as consumer confidence nosedives and viability issues overwhelm. Ben Roskrow reveals the many Threats and Weaknesses the industry currently faces while searching for the Strengths and Opportunities

Time to give average prices the index finger

Matt Fleming, executive chairman at the Henry Agency, is launching a new house price index. He explains why he believes it will be better than what we have now

The Interview – Paul Turner, NHBC

After his first year as chief executive of NHBC, Paul Turner talks to Ben Roskrow about his plans to ensure the 90-year-old business is still around in another 90 years, supporting customers and consumers

HBF Viewpoint

Catherine Williams, HBF’s planning director, welcomes the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. But certain changes since the draft version have weakened the intended “rules-based” approach. And SMEs are not as supported as they could be