Record year worth writing home about
COMMERCIAL property lawyer Rachel Warsop has joined the Huddersfield office of law firm Ison Harrison.
Rachel (pictured) joins the team from the Leeds-based firm’s Castleford office. She has 20 years experience of commercial and residential property matters.
She joined the Castleford branch of Maurice Smiths solicitors, which merged with Ison Harrison in 2015, in 1999 as an assistant solicitor and became a partner in 2006.
Ison Harrison opened the Huddersfield office at Lion Chambers, John William Street, in January this year, bringing the total number of offices across Leeds and West Yorkshire to 12.
In her new role, she will work with James Smith, head of residential conveyancing and remortgage, who is also branch manager at the Huddersfield office.
Rachel, who is a black belt in karate, is a member of Denby Dale Athletics Club and takes part in many local running events, including the Huddersfield 10k and the West Yorkshire Cross Country League. across Yorkshire this year and is urging househunters to take advantage of the government’s Help to Buy scheme and the developer’s Part Exchange offering.
Ian Ruthven, managing director for Barratt Homes Yorkshire West, said: “We’ve seen no slowing of our sales in the region, demonstrating buyers’ confidence in the housing market and the homes we have available.”
Paul Hogan, sales director for Barratt Homes Yorkshire East, said: “Our sales have been strong in the last year and as these figures show, buyers in the region remain confident in the sector and about investing in the property market. “We have a further 30 developments planned across Yorkshire in the next financial year, and are confident about our investment in the region.”
The update on regional completions and sales follows a trading statement from Barratt Developments PLC showing the UK’s largest housebuilder recorded 17,395 completions in the year to June – up from 17,319 the previous year and the highest level of completions in nine years.
Pre-tax profits were forecast at about £765m against £682.3m last time, ahead of market expectations.
Chief executive David Thomas said: “It has been another very strong year for the group both operationally and financially. We have delivered our highest number of completions for nine years, more than any other housebuilder, and continue to see a positive mortgage environment and strong consumer demand.
“In March we were recognised as a five-star builder by the Home Builders Federation for the eighth year in a row and we are determined to lead the industry in quality and service as we drive operational improvements through the business.”