Development, building and property maintenance firm Wates Group has appointed James Saunders chief people officer.
Saunders took up the post on 6 May and will sit on the executive committee. He will work closely alongside Paul Rowan, who will retire from the role, during a transitional phase.
He joins from plumbing, heating and renewable energy firm Highbourne Group, where he held the role of chief people and culture officer. His career also includes head of HR roles at Vodafone and Nationwide.
Rowan has been HR director for Wates Group since August 2014, serving on the executive committee. He will retire from the group at the end of 2025.
Eoghan O’Lionaird, chief executive officer of Wates Group, said: “James is an energetic and agile leader with a passion for creating open, collaborative, purpose-driven cultures where people care deeply about delivering for customers and creating value for society. These attributes are all highly prized at Wates Group, and we look forward to welcoming him.”
