Clare Smithson has joined leading volume housebuilder Weston Homes, a subsidiary of Weston Group Plc, as the new HR Director, overseeing the welfare of 515 employees and training and recruitment activities across the group’s five subsidiary companies.

Clare brings to Weston Homes a wealth of human resource management expertise, most recently as Group Head of HR at volume housebuilder Hill Group where her work helped the business win a Housebuilder Award for Training or Recruitment Initiative. Clare previously worked in human resource roles at DS Smith plc, NEST Corporation and BT PLC.

Previous HR Director Jane Stock has moved to become Group Organisational Development Director and will focus on helping to drive key projects across the business in order to deliver the wider Weston Group Plc strategy.

Founded in 1987 and now one of the leading developers of quality homes in the South East of England Weston Homes is a major employer with 515 employees across Weston Group Plc. As a highly successful and constantly growing business, the Group continues to attract new talent year on year and has a strong record of investing in the careers of its existing employees.

More than 40 per cent of senior roles within the Weston Group are held by home grown talent. The injection of new staff brings fresh thinking and new ideas, which compliment the existing highly skilled workforce.

Staff training and development will form a key part of Clare’s role, with 23 new school leavers joining the Weston Group trainee scheme in September 2022, further expanding the workforce and providing funded university or college education alongside on-the-job practical training.

Clare Smithson, HR Director at Weston Homes, says: “I am excited to join Weston Homes, a rapidly expanding volume housebuilder which has a reputation for high quality design and build standards. To deliver the group’s £2.13 billion (GDV) of pipeline residential development across the South East the business needs to excel in all areas of engaging, developing and retaining its employees and this is where my experience will add significant value and contribute to the success of Weston Homes.”

Bob Weston, Chairman & Managing Director of Weston Homes, says: “We are delighted that Clare Smithson has chosen to join Weston Homes as our new HR Director at a key time when we are about to take on new apprentices. Clare’s extensive experience and success in her field will be a valuable asset to the company. I would like to thank Jane Stock for her many years in the HR Director role and look forward to working with her in her new role as Group Organisational Development Director.”