Executive Team

Alex joined Watkin Jones in 2010 and took on the role of Group Investment Director in 2013. He was appointed as Chief Investment Officer in 2021. In July 2023, Alex took up the Interim Chief Executive Officer role and in November he was appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to Watkin Jones, Alex spent six years in the Savills Residential Investment team where he specialised in brokerage, consultancy and valuation across all residential asset classes.

Alex is a chartered surveyor (MRICS).

Sarah was appointed to the Board as Chief Financial Officer Designate on 6 October 2021, assuming the CFO role in November 2021. She was previously the Chief Financial Officer of the UK & Ireland region at Compass Group PLC, the FTSE 30 food and support services company.

She has held a number of senior finance and operational roles over her 13-year tenure at Compass, including Group Financial Controller, M&A Director, and CFO of the Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore.

Sarah brings considerable financial, strategic and operational experience from across the commercial spectrum. She is a chartered accountant.

With over 30 years of experience building places people want to stay, Richard leads our construction delivery programme. He joined Watkin Jones in February 2021, having previously spent 10 years with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).  

At JLL Richard was UK Managing Director for their Design & Build business, and more recently led the EMEA Capital Works Team for JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality division.

Prior to JLL, Richard held senior development and construction roles at leading hospitality businesses, including 14 years at Whitbread Plc where he worked on both Marriott Hotels and Premier Inn. In addition, he has provided development consultancy for Hilton International.

Kerry was appointed Group Company Secretary in April 2021, joining from Next plc.

She has more than 15 years’ experience in company secretarial roles with FTSE listed companies in the engineering, renewable energy and retail sectors.

She is a chartered secretary and holds an LLB (Hons) in Law from Exeter University.

Sam joined as Managing Director of Fresh in 2022 and has a depth of experience in providing contracted services across hospitality, facilities, and project management contracts in the public and private sectors.

Most recently, Sam was Divisional Managing Director for Sodexo responsible for their large corporate clients in the UK&I.

Prior to joining Sodexo in 2013, Sam held senior operational roles in Carillion for over 8 years including in Health and Defence PFI’s contracts developing services for workplace, living accommodation and leisure facilities.

George joined Watkin Jones in 2020 as Head of Divestment. He was appointed Group Investment Director in 2023.

George brings a wealth of experience having previously been a partner at Cushman and Wakefield and before that was Head of UK Investment Management at Global Student Accommodation Group.