NEW strategic land business Carden Group has appointed Alex Sciarretta as land director.
Alex has almost 20 years of industry experience and will be a main point of contact for landowners, farmers, agents and consultants on new acquisitions.
In his previous roles as land director at Harrow Estates and Taylor Wimpey, Alex worked with Carden Group’s founders – Steve Morgan CBE, founder and former chairman of Redrow; Will Heath, former Group development director at Redrow; and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, landowner and former director at Taylor Wimpey.
During his time at Harrow Estates, Alex was responsible for overseeing the larger strategic acquisitions across the wider Redrow Group; while at Taylor Wimpey he oversaw the land and planning function across the South Coast.
“The rationale of working for Carden was to work with a small group of like-minded people with the same outcomes. The background, history and experience of the Carden team sings for itself,” Alex said.
“We are a new business,so getting the name and reputation out there will be key to building the brand. My driver as the land director is working closely with landowners and agents so they understand our unique business model to ultimately realise value earlier in the planning process.
“We are professional, respectful and courteous to our landowners. The goal is to create a well-established land investment business that ultimately landowners and their consultants want to do business with.”
Alex was pivotal to Carden’s first land acquisition – a 220-acre site in Exeter. Known as Treasbeare Garden Village which subject to planning will provide 1,000+ homes and community facilities.
“The highlight for me is always seeing land coming through and getting planning, seeing work starting so it’s great to have our first Carden site come through from inspection and purchase to planning being submitted,” Alex said.
Along with its pedigree, its Carden Group’s funding structure and business model that sets it apart from others in the industry.
“We want to grow but keep the personal service so that landowners are dealing with the main people,” Alex said.
“Personability is important when you’re dealing with people on a one-to-one basis. Because we’re a small team of experienced professionals with private funding without having to rely on third party finance and another level of sign off, we’re able to make decisions quickly.”
Carden Group CEO Will Heath said: “Alex’s proven track record of dealing with complex land negotiations to secure substantial sites for residential development speaks for itself. It’s testament to his calibre and experience that we’ve already secure a 220-acre site and are in advanced negotiations for a number of other deals. Alex will play an important role in helping us secure land and then navigate the process of selling those sites to housebuilders to deliver thriving new communities.”
