Allison Homes promotes Alex Mayhew to Group Finance Director

Allison Homes is continuing to strengthen its senior leadership team with the promotion of Alex Mayhew to Group Finance Director.

Before joining Allison Homes, Alex spent eight years in finance at the fashion retailer Joules. He transitioned into the housebuilding sector three years ago to further his personal and professional development, attracted by the opportunity to help shape the future of a growing, ambitious business.

Reflecting on his move into the sector and his promotion, Alex said: “I was excited by the journey and opportunity at Allison Homes. The chance to join a business with significant potential, an exciting future, and strong financial backing was a big attraction for me. On a personal level, this promotion means a great deal – it’s something I have always worked towards. Achieving it makes the years of hard work, particularly the time spent gaining my CIMA qualification, feel incredibly worthwhile.”

Addressing wider market challenges, Alex commented on the impact of affordability within the UK housing market: “Affordability pressures, particularly for first-time buyers, are currently slowing the market. However, there is a huge opportunity waiting to be unlocked, and once affordability improves, I believe we will see a significant shift in market activity.”

As a private equity-backed business with clear return expectations, Allison Homes operates against defined financial metrics, including internal rate of return (IRR) and site margins. Alex explained: “It’s my responsibility to ensure we achieve strong returns on every investment we make. Alongside site margins, IRR is a core measure for us. Every decision is considered through the lens of its potential impact on gross margin and overall company return. As the business continues to grow, the finance function plays a vital role in shaping land acquisition strategies and long-term development pipelines. Capital discipline is fundamental, and the entire team works closely together to ensure the business is financially positioned to support growth.”

Following a recent £165 million financing deal with HSBC, NatWest, and Homes England, Allison Homes has ambitious growth plans to deliver up to 2,000 homes annually. Alex added: “Our relationships with our lenders are critical. Following the refinance, one of my key priorities is ensuring the business delivers on its commitments and achieves sustainable, controlled growth that aligns with our long-term financial forecasts. Market conditions will inevitably influence how we grow, but it’s essential that we are well positioned to capitalise on improvements when they come.”

Recent investment in systems and data has further strengthened Allison Homes’ financial capabilities. The re-implementation of the company’s ERP system, COINS, has delivered significant operational benefits. Alex said: “While COINS was not a finance-led project, the finance team was heavily involved throughout. Since go-live, we have seen marked improvements in the quality of data and how the business operates, which has been an important step in preparing for future growth.”

In addition, the introduction of Power BI as an analytical reporting tool is improving data visibility across the organisation. “Power BI is helping to provide clearer insight and transparency across the business, and we expect to see increasing benefits as it becomes more embedded,” Alex added.

As sustainability regulations continue to tighten across the construction sector, the finance team also plays a key role in balancing investment in low-carbon homes and net-zero compliance with the need to maintain strong financial performance. Reflecting on this, Alex said: “It’s about striking the right balance and taking a considered approach to change. Knee-jerk reactions or a lack of planning often mean new regulations are introduced poorly and end up costing more. As long as we remain proactive in how we respond to new regulations, I am confident we can continue to deliver sustainable homes while maintaining strong gross margins.”

John Anderson, Group CEO of Allison Homes, said: “Alex has been instrumental in strengthening our financial discipline and supporting the business through a period of significant investment and growth. His commercial insight, calm leadership, and understanding of our financial strategy make him an excellent fit for the role of Group Finance Director. I’m delighted to see Alex take this next step as we continue to deliver our long-term growth ambitions.”

As the business continues to strengthen its balance sheet and operational capacity, Alex’s promotion reinforces Allison Homes’ commitment to responsible, sustainable growth and to developing talent from within.

Allison Homes Web Article: 19th May 2026