Executive Team

Alex joined Watkin Jones in 2010 and took on the role of Group Investment Director in 2013. He was appointed as Chief Investment Officer in 2021. In July 2023, Alex took up the Interim Chief Executive Officer role and in November he was appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to Watkin Jones, Alex spent six years in the Savills Residential Investment team where he specialised in brokerage, consultancy and valuation across all residential asset classes.

Alex is a chartered surveyor (MRICS).

Simon was appointed to the Board as Chief Financial Officer Designate in May 2024 and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in June 2024. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of Mapeley Group, the property outsourcing specialist. Prior to this, he held a number of senior finance roles within, amongst others, Bass PLC (now IHG Group PLC), Hilton and Whitbread PLC. Simon is also Group Company Secretary (Designate).

Simon qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG.

With over 30 years of experience building places people want to stay, Richard leads our construction delivery programme. He joined Watkin Jones in February 2021, having previously spent 10 years with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).  

At JLL Richard was UK Managing Director for their Design & Build business, and more recently led the EMEA Capital Works Team for JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality division.

Prior to JLL, Richard held senior development and construction roles at leading hospitality businesses, including 14 years at Whitbread Plc where he worked on both Marriott Hotels and Premier Inn. In addition, he has provided development consultancy for Hilton International.

Sam joined as Managing Director of Fresh in 2022 and has a depth of experience in providing contracted services across hospitality, facilities, and project management contracts in the public and private sectors.

Most recently, Sam was Divisional Managing Director for Sodexo responsible for their large corporate clients in the UK&I.

Prior to joining Sodexo in 2013, Sam held senior operational roles in Carillion for over 8 years including in Health and Defence PFIs contracts developing services for workplace, living accommodation and leisure facilities.

George joined Watkin Jones in 2020 as Head of Divestment. He was appointed Group Investment Director in 2023.

George brings a wealth of experience having previously been a partner at Cushman and Wakefield and before that was Head of UK Investment Management at Global Student Accommodation Group.