About Us: Our People

A graduate in Economics and Accountancy, Gerry joined Deloitte's to complete his CA training. He joined CALA in 1987, as Financial Accountant. He was appointed as Company Secretary in 1997, before taking the position of Managing Director for CALA Homes (Yorkshire) in 1999 , following CALA's successful delisting from the London Stock Exchange.

In 2001, Gerry returned to Scotland to become Managing Director of CALA Homes (East), following the division of the Scottish subsidiary into two separate companies.

Gerry is a Council Member of CBI Scotland and a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the housebuilding trade body, Homes for Scotland.

In July 2006, Gerry was appointed to the Group Executive Board, and appointed to the Main Board of CALA Group with overall responsibility for CALA Homes in Scotland in August 2007.

Irene joined CALA in 1990. Prior to this she spent 6 years with Taylor Woodrow Property Company as a Finance Manager in Central London.

With over 20 years industry experience she has a deep understanding of the different dynamics and needs of banks, developers and their accountants, which in turn has given her the knowledge to ensure the best possible results for all concerned.

Irene Lavery is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

Douglas has a very practical approach to accounting having gained 14 years experience in both engineering and management accounting with British Gas, Carl Bro and Peebles Transformers.

He joined CALA during 1999 as Management Accountant for CALA Homes (South) and as part of his role developed the Company’s financial reporting and forecasting systems.

Moving to CALA Finance in April of 2004 Douglas brings a ‘skill set’ that will prove invaluable to our funded developers.

Douglas Watson is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

Denise joined the CALA Group in 1992 having re-located from Bingley in West Yorkshire.

Over the last 16 years she has worked in various roles within the accounts department and has gained a wide knowledge and understanding of the needs and requirements of the building industry.

Denise Walkeris based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

Siobhan joined CALA in September 2007 as an Assistant Accountant having previously gained experience in other busy accounting roles.

She is looking forward to pursuing her accounting career with CALA.

Outside of CALA, Siobhan enjoys socialising with friends, going to the gym, shopping and going abroad whenever she gets the chance.

Siobhan Rogers is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

CALA finance has appointed Martyn Seth as MD of CALA Finance in the South East of England who will be based in the Staines office. Martyn has a wealth of experience in both development and funding in the South.

Martyn is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) with over 25 years experience in residential development and construction.

He has previously held Director positions with Blue Circle Properties, was MD of Country & Metropolitan Homes Southern Region and most recently was MD for funding provider in the South East

Martyn Seth is based in our London Office:

Jim has been with CALA for 12 years, and has over 15 years experience in the housebuilding industry.

He also brings 10 years experience of town planning in the public and private sectors both in England and Scotland.

Jim Ross is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

Stephen joined Cala Finance in January 2008 as the Business Development Manager for West Scotland.

He has some 18 years of experience in the property market in the West of Scotland having worked for leading estate agents Slater Hogg and Howison as an Estate Agent and working in some 14 offices throughout the West of Scotland. He then moved to Hamptons International where he was responsible for spearheading the growth of the Development and Investment Agent in the competative Scottish Market running both Glasgow and Edinburgh Offices.

Stephen is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

Joanne's 13 year career in house-building started as a Quantity Surveyor with Beazer Homes dealing with post contract duties. Moving on from this Joanne joined Miller Homes as Development Surveyor liasing with Housing Associations and Scottish Homes to secure low cost housing developments.

Since joining CALA Finance in 1999 Joanne has been keen to promote her pre and post contract skills as Development Manager. The diversity of our Developers makes this job both challenging and rewarding.

Joanne Marriot is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

Stuart Hay joined CALA Finance as a Senior Commercial Manager in May 2007.

Having started his surveying career, in 1984, with Edinburgh private practice, Ian Peters & Partners, Stuart moved into house building, from contracting, as a Quantity Surveyor with Miller Homes, in 1993, dealing with pre and post contract duties.

In 1998, Stuart moved to Bryant Homes as Senior Quantity Surveyor, moving up to Regional Surveyor, for Scotland in 1999. Following Taylor Woodrow's take over of Bryant Homes, Stuart's role changed to that of Commercial Manager, with Taylor Woodrow Developments, managing the Scotland East commercial team.

Outside of CALA, Stuart enjoys golf, hiking and playing guitar.

Stuart Hay is based in our Edinburgh Head Office:

David joined CALA Finance in 2000. Prior to this he was Land Director with a plc national house builder in the Yorkshire region.

Applying his industry experience, David has successfully developed the CALA Finance business in both Yorkshire and the South East of England, which enabled those developers to substantially increase their turnover. David is a CALA Group Pension Trustee.

David Whittaker is based in our Leeds Office:

Ian Mitchell joined CALA as a Senior Commercial Manager in March 2007.

Ian has over 20 years experience in the Construction Industry working for national building contractors including Shepherd Construction and ISG Totty Ltd where he has gained a wealth of commercial and construction knowledge on a range of different project types.

Ian is based in our Leeds Office:

Barbara Holmes began her career in property as an Estate Agent in North Yorkshire before joining Bryant Homes as sales negotiator in Harrogate. Her experience in Sales and Marketing comes from a variety of managerial roles with Leeds developers Britannia and Oakapple Homes, Lowry homes in Manchester and Westbridge Homes in Hull.

Barbara is based in our Leeds Office:

Carmel joined CALA Finance at the Leeds office as a part time Secretary in July 2004 having previously worked for 8 years as a Recruitment Consultant.

Her role is to support the Team in the North and North West of England using her skills in administration to allow others the freedom to develop the business.

Carmel Smith is based in our Leeds Office:

Ken attained a degree in Building and residential Development and gradually gained RICS Diploma in Planning and Development

He has specialised in Town Planning and land acquisition since graduating from university and has held senior positions with Alfred McAlpine, Westbury Homes. Latterly he held the position of Land Director at Crest Nicholson in the Midlands.

He brings 16 years experience of identifying, negotiating and purchasing sites as well as an extensive knowledge of negotiating with local authorities for planning permission.

Ken Phillips is based in our Birmingham Office:

Chris brings to CALA finance 20 years of experience in Quantity Surveying predominently from the Housebuilding Industry, with the likes of Bovis, Westbury and KingsOak.

Joining the company in early 2004 as Development Manager. Chris was responsible for Commercial and Construction for the Midlands Region

Chris has a degree in Construction Management from Nottingham Trent University and is at present studying for a MSc in Real Estate Planning and Development at Reading University.

Chris Morris is based in our Birmingham Office:

Stephen joined CALA Finance as Commercial Manager in the Midlands Region in August 2007 bringing with him 19 years of construction industry experience, most recently as Commercial Manager with Barteak Developments.

Having graduated with a degree in Quantity Surveying from Wolverhampton University in 1994 Stephen worked as a Quantity Surveyor for two large Building Contractors; Thomas Vale Construction and Alfred McAlpine Special Projects which involved living in The Isle of Man for two years before gaining residential development experience with Barteak.

Outside of work Stephen's interests revolve around Motorsport and Rugby.

Stephen Freer is based in our Birmingham Office:

Catherine Holman began her career as an Estate Agent before joining a national house builder as a Sales Negotiator in the North of England 15 years ago.

Catherine gained experience in all aspects of sales and marketing, becoming a Sales Manager in 1998 for an independent developer.

From moving down to the midlands in 2000, she was the Sales Manager for Charles Church and then Kings Oak Homes joining Michael Richard Homes October 2004.

Catherine Holman is based in our Birmingham Office:

Biog to follow.

Beverley Colman is based in our Birmingham Office:

Michelle joined CALA in December 2003 after 3 years within a Global Recruitment Consultancy, and 6 years with Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Michelle has a can-do attitude and has demonstrated this with her creative skills, which will aid her in supporting and organising the team. Michelle likes being part of a successful team and is looking forward to her future with CALA.

Michelle Stanley is based in our Birmingham Office: