Paul Breen Becomes Managing Director of Living Space Housing

Paul Breen has been promoted to the role of Managing Director at Living Space Housing, as the affordable housing specialist prepares for its next chapter. Former Managing Director Steve Davies will take on a Brand Ambassador role. Paul and Steve have worked closely together since Living Space’s inception to develop the positive culture, which is enabling the business to flourish.

Since launching in 2019 as the sister company to five-star housebuilder Hayfield, the Solihull-headquartered partnerships business has grown at such a pace, it has been able to respond to the industry-wide issues of low output by ramping up production. Living Space has a total of 674 residential plots under control, representing a combined value in excess of £113million. The company is on track to commence at least 20 developments over the next two years.

With over 30 years’ industry experience, Paul has been a pivotal founding member of the Living Space team and has managed the commercial function for the business, pre and post contract. More recently he has also had operational responsibility.

Paul Breen’s strong and proactive management style has facilitated rapid growth, despite the challenges of Covid-19. The impact of the pandemic on the UK’s affordable housing sector saw the number of new homes being delivered reduced by 30 per cent last year. Meanwhile, Living Space reassessed its business plan and committed to significantly increase production output to help to meet the unprecedented demand and help address the capacity shortage.

Mark Booth, Co-founder of Living Space Housing said: “Paul Breen has been instrumental in driving Living Space’s remarkable growth, which will see this business achieve a turnover of £35m this financial year. He has recruited a talented team and used his extensive experience to negotiate, problem solve and shape the company’s development in a highly sustainable way that puts it in great stead for continued strong growth. I am delighted that he will now be leading this business, as it enters its next chapter and takes on a number of exciting new projects.”

The vast majority of the homes Living Space builds are delivered to Registered Providers (RPs) for affordable rent and shared ownership. Five per cent of the plots currently being delivered are being sold on the open market. Living Space sources the land, achieves Full Detailed Planning consent and builds the homes for the RP, enabling them to focus on the funding and management of high-quality homes for their residents.

Paul Breen, Managing Director for Living Space said: “I am thrilled to become Managing Director and lead this highly able and committed team. Living Space’s growth has been defined by our desire to create positive partnerships and deliver quality new communities for all. Our recent tranche of expansion has brought a new skills-set and dynamic, and it’s enhanced our social values and sustainability. Our ambition is for strong, but sustainable growth, and to become the partner of choice for our clients – one that is renowned for delivering a high-quality product.”

Living Space’s live developments comprise 51 homes at Malvern Oaks in Cradley, on the outskirts of Malvern, Herefordshire, which is in conjunction with affordable housing provider Stonewater.

In Telford, 38 homes located off Park Road in the Malinslee ward of the town, and 39 homes on former Homes England land at Majestic Way are being delivered for The Wrekin Housing Group. 40 affordable eco-friendly homes are being constructed for housing provider Paradigm on a site off Oak Farm Drive in the Oxfordshire village of Milcombe, while 36 homes are being delivered in conjunction with Hightown Housing Association in the Bedfordshire village of Moggerhanger. Living Space Housing has also recently commenced work on the 72-acre Hawkesbury canal village scheme in Warwickshire.