The Welborne Team
Buckland Development is a Hampshire based company, founded in 2006, and serves as the Master Developer of Welborne Garden Village.
There are very few developments of Welborne’s scale where the land ownership falls under one roof with delivery managed by an experienced in-house team. We have the rare opportunity to take a holistic and joined-up view in our delivery of Welborne, ensuring that we are building a community we are proud of. This method requires a considered, stewardship vision as well as the necessary financial acumen and the backing of various stakeholders.
Since Buckland was first incorporated in 2006, the team has grown, attracting the best people from the development and financial industry, many of whom have first-hand experience in delivering other large developments. On a day-to-day basis, the Buckland team deals with everything from selecting the species of plants and trees for the parks and gardens to the intricacies of creating infrastructure and the build form.
As a flagship development with a unique approach to delivering homes, we have been able to attract highly sought after individuals, notably our Town and Landscape Architects. Our selected local House Build Partners also share our vision and will help us to deliver our beautifully designed homes, open spaces, and the Village Centre.
Our team is local, and our strong historical connections to the area mean that we are already invested in Hampshire. The homes and street designs at Welborne are also traditional with a sensitivity to the local vernacular. Owning and controlling the design and build process in-house is the ultimate way to keep the quality of vision alive over time.
Mark Thistlethwayte
Chairman of Buckland Group
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After a career in investment banking – Chief Executive for a number of LCF Rothschild Group UK and Channel Island businesses, Mark established Buckland in Winchester in 2008. The Group acts as a private family office and focuses on investing in SMEs across the UK, renewable energy projects and is the Master Developer behind the 6,000 home Welborne Garden Village in Hampshire.
Mark is a passionate champion for ensuring broad-based sustainability for rural communities. In addition to sustainable agriculture he is keen to support the provision of genuinely affordable and quality homes together with long-term jobs to allow rural communities to thrive. He has worked with a range of charities to help tackle homelessness and reduce reoffending by those leaving prison.
Mark acts as a non-executive director to a wide range of trading, manufacturing, property and investment businesses and played a significant role in the establishment of the Channel Islands Stock Exchange to which he was a director until early 2013.
“With Welborne we have the opportunity to create an attractive and sustainable new community that is being designed with respect to its surroundings, be a benefit to the wider community and that will stand the test of time; something we can be genuinely proud of.”
John Beresford
Managing Director, Buckland Development
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John has over 25 years’ experience as a developer in the residential sector which includes the delivery of large complex schemes. Before joining Buckland in 2018 John was previously responsible for running the strategic land business at Grainger Plc. Including projects at Wellesley, Aldershot, a scheme of 4,000 new homes and associated infrastructure on the former army garrison, and Berewood, a greenfield urban extension forming 2,630 new homes at Waterlooville, Hampshire.
Whilst at Grainger Plc, John also set up and managed Grainger Trust Ltd, which, as a subsidiary of Grainger Plc, is a Registered Provider of affordable homes. Prior to working at Grainger Plc John started his career working in housebuilding for Bryant Homes and Taylor Woodrow.
“I joined Buckland in 2018 to lead the team to deliver Welborne. I was taken aback by the commitment shown by the landowner to create a place that was so special. We all dream of that one project in our careers that is not only challenging but also gives a huge amount of satisfaction. For me, Welborne is the job that I will always be proud to be associated with. Pulling together the team of directly-employed specialists to work for Buckland Development was an easy task given its appeal.”
Fiona Gray
Director of Place, Buckland Development
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Fiona has a range of technical and commercial experience from working within the property and construction industry since 1990, starting out as a site engineer for a major UK construction company and housebuilder then moving to project manager roles for a global engineering consultancy. Prior to joining Buckland in 2008, she was Divisional Director within the Merger & Acquisition division of Willis Ltd – working for both public and private sector clients advising on environmental risk management issues in large and complex projects. Having worked on the developing plans for Welborne for nearly 15 years Fiona applies her broad knowledge to various aspects of the Welborne project and business as one of Buckland’s project directors with special responsibility for Welborne Garden Village Trust and community liaison.
“We are creating a place at Welborne, with schools, leisure, retail - focusing on the long-term good of the area. Whilst it might be a new community, ultimately the people that live and work at Welborne will be part of a much wider network.“
Crispin Payne
Chief Operating Officer
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Crispin is a business leader and private markets investment professional with significant practical experience in information systems and operational process development. After an early career in investment banking, he joined Dresdner Bank to invest in early stage technology, moving to Coller Capital in 2002, a leader in the development of the private equity secondary market. Crispin held a dual role as an investment partner with operational responsibilities, including the development of the firm’s investment, reporting and data management systems and processes, helping to lead the growth of the firm from 20 to 250 over 15 years. In 2017 he joined Display Data to lead capital raising and operational systems development, moving to Time Partners in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer where he led the development of a family office into a service provider to a variety of family offices and financial institutions including national pension plans and sovereign wealth funds. At Buckland, Crispin is leading the professionalisation of the Group, ensuring an organisation that is fit for purpose for the next phases of its growth.
Paul Lambert
Group Finance Director
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Paul is a Chartered Accountant with significant director level corporate finance and financial modelling experience gained at Deloitte and KPMG. Prior to joining the Buckland Group in 2011 he was the Director of Finance of a substantial property-owning and national property management group of companies.
Paul is responsible for the Head Office accounting function and funding as well as financial modelling across the Group.
Claire Dawkins
Executive Assistant to Mark Thistlethwayte
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Claire joined the Buckland team in 2018 as PA to Mark Thistlethwayte having spent 20 years in senior EA roles in the City offering a range of confidential support to CEO’s.
Claire is collaborative, supportive and today provides both personal and executive assistant support to Mark and the wider Buckland Group Board members. She is fundamental in the organisation and running of the Buckland head office in Winchester and curates and produces all internal events.
Karen Guibeleguiet
Marketing Director
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Karen has nearly 20 years’ experience in retail branding and consumer marketing. She joined Buckland Group in 2023, following over a decade in lifestyle retail where she was Executive Director of a fashion online and concept brand. Karen took the firm on a growth journey from a start-up to a highly reputable and thought-after lifestyle brand and business.
Throughout her career, Karen has been a champion for creating, building and supporting impact-led brands. For 6 years she advised the UK Charity, Rainbow Trust on their flagship event - Trust in Fashion and has consulted on special projects for prominent, American family offices.
At Buckland Group, Karen heads the marketing communications and branding function, with a major emphasis on the communication, and marketing of Welborne, Buckland’s sustainable garden village, in Hampshire.
Paul Willoughby
Project Director, Buckland Development
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Paul is a Chartered Accountant who qualified with Ernst & Young. He has director level experience in both the financial and property sectors in privately and publicly owned businesses. This included a senior role with McCarthy & Stone plc (FTSE 250), involved with land valuation, acquisition and business direction. He also has previous experience as a quantity surveyor on a range of building projects including private and social new build housing, redevelopment, and refurbishment. Paul is currently a Project Director on the 6,000 dwelling Welborne Garden Village scheme focusing on project financials, strategic issues, and delivery.
Tom Clennett
Financial Controller
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Tom qualified as a chartered management accountant with IBM. His experience covers commercial project management, business partnering, FP&A and detailed financial modelling.
Tom has worked for a range of organisations from large multinationals to SME start-ups in a variety of roles including Financial Controller & Senior Finance Analyst.
Harriet Richards
Team Support & PA to John Beresford
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Harriet joined our development team in early 2022. Previously to that she worked for Christie & Co, a specialist property advisor and broker as a Data Admin, Office Manager & Team Support.
Within Buckland she is responsible for assisting with social media, helping with various projects, facilitating meeting requirements within the Buckland team and PA to John Beresford.
Paul Stewart
Technical Director, Buckland Development
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As a qualified Civil Engineer, Paul is responsible for overseeing the strategic and technical infrastructure works across Welborne, including roads, access, utilities and sustainable drainage. His experience in large complex residential and commercial development projects has seen him manage all technical aspects from feasibility through planning to detailed design and construction on site. Paul has also worked for developers on the design of on-plot levels and infrastructure to serve the houses.
Post qualification Paul spent his early career working for a range of Local Authorities in highways and drainage design roles. Subsequently he worked for consultants Waterman as a Senior Engineer covering all aspects of their infrastructure design work. From 2003 to 2018 he worked for Mayer Brown as a Principal Engineer where he was involved on the Berewood project for 14 years.
Paul Self
Commercial Director, Buckland Development
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Paul is a member of the Chartered Institute of Building. Paul joined the Group in 2022 and is responsible for working with the technical team and external consultants who will be ensuring that the required Infrastructure is delivered for Welborne.
The first ten years of Paul’s career were spent working in a Commercial role for Unit Construction Limited in Reigate and R Mansell in Croydon. Subsequently Paul had roles with a range of housing and construction companies including Persimmon (1993-2013) and Miller Homes (2013-2021).
Paul is also progressing the delivery of the Village Centre that will form the focal point of Welborne.
Peter Mason
Technical Director, Buckland Development
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Peter has over 30 years’ experience as a developer within the residential sector. He is architecturally trained and has both a technical and commercial outlook, relating to the design and efficiencies and broad experience of managing across multiple disciplines including design, planning and development.
With a proven track record of delivering a range of schemes and taking projects from initial design through to planning consent including negotiation of section 106 and CIL, and the delivery of technical / construction working drawings thereafter.
Peter is assisting in the delivery of the Welborne Garden Village Centre and liaising with our Joint Venture Developer partners.
Emma Kiss
Community Development Manager
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Emma began her career in Basle, Switzerland at the Bank for International Settlements, following a degree in French Studies at Warwick University. Emma has worked in recruitment, PR & communications and fundraising, and as a modern languages tutor.
More recently Emma was a Trustee of Shared Lives Plus, a charity raising the national profile of shared living solutions, establishing and running a homeshare service for the almshouse charity St John's Winchester.
As the Community Development Manager for Welborne Garden Village Trust, Emma will support the creation and development of a connected new community of Welborne residents, linking them to existing local networks and initiating community events and activities, fostering a sense of well-being and belonging from the start.
Stewart jones
Build Director, Buckland Development
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Stewart has more than 30 years’ experience working within the housebuilding industry, specialising in construction and project management. After cutting his teeth at Bryant Homes Thames Valley, Stewart subsequently worked with a range of developers, including Gleeson Homes, Barratt Developments and Miller Homes. Prior to joining the Group in 2025, he was a Construction Director at Persimmon Homes, one of the UK’s leading 5-star housebuilders.
With a proven track record of managing a range of schemes from pre-construction to agent handover – including producing the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plans (CPH&SP) for multiple developments, ensuring compliance with the Consumer Code for Home Builders, and negotiating Section 106 Agreements – Stewart brings a wealth of expertise to support the Buckland Development team.
Dermot McBride
Development Surveyor, Buckland Development
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Dermot joined Buckland as Development Surveyor in July 2024 and will be working with our technical team and external Consultants to deliver the Welborne infrastructure, Village Centre and Housing with our Joint Venture partners.
After graduating from Sheffield City Polytechnic Dermot has predominantly worked in the house building sector spanning a range of organisations from H.N. Edwards/Galliford Sears/Bovis Homes to Charles Church and Aquinna Homes and finally Miller from 2015-2024.
Warren Cann
Investment Director
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Warren is a Fellow of the Securities Institute with significant experience in financial markets with prior roles at LCF Rothschild Group UK and Royal Bank of Canada. He joined Buckland Capital Partners Ltd as Investment Director in 2008.
Warren holds a number of directorships within the Group and is responsible for researching, establishing and managing new business and investment opportunities. In recent years there has been a particular focus on the energy sector where he has been developing and operating large scale solar and battery storage assets in the UK.
james fox
Development Director
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James has over 23 years of experience in land, property, engineering, and infrastructure. He specialises in strategic residential and commercial development and has led major projects, including two recent 100-acre sites in West Sussex with Hanbury Properties.
Previously, he held senior roles delivering high-profile infrastructure programmes such as the London 2012 Olympics and the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and whilst working for Buro Happold, contributed to major civil engineering and masterplanning schemes in the UK and abroad. He is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Joseph Valko
Management Accountant
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Joseph is a Chartered Accountant who qualified with MHA and joined the team in 2025. With prior experience working with SMEs and infrastructure management providers, his expertise spans financial reporting, FP&A and financial modelling.
Joseph will support the delivery of Welborne Garden Village.
paul scotney
Buckland Group IT Manager
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Paul leads IT strategy and operations across Buckland Group and its subsidiaries, ensuring secure, efficient, and high-availability systems that support the company’s growth. With over 15 years’ experience in IT leadership, he specialises in cloud-first strategies, digital transformation, and service optimisation.
Since joining Buckland in 2024, Paul has driven significant improvements to infrastructure and security, standardising systems across multiple sites and introducing modern, resilient solutions that enhance collaboration and reduce downtime. He has a proven track record of managing complex IT environments, delivering cost efficiencies, and aligning technology with business goals.
Previously, Paul held senior IT roles in the construction and insurance sectors, where he led infrastructure transformations, implemented disaster recovery frameworks, and strengthened compliance with ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus standards.
kim bold
Office Manager, Dean Farm
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Kim joined the Buckland team in August 2023, having spent the previous 5 years assisting Mark and the Land Agents as the Estate Secretary at Southwick Estate.
She brings over 20 years of organisational experience to the team along with a meticulous eye for detail having worked for the BBC and the AA in their publishing departments. She is fundamental in ensuring the smooth operation of the Welborne Site Office including management of the commercial and residential tenants.
george long
Welborne Sales Director
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George brings over 15 years of senior experience in residential development to Buckland, having held key leadership roles at both regional and national property firms. Before joining Buckland, George was a Director and Head of Land & New Homes at Charters Estate Agents, where for seven years he led the growth and strategic direction of the department across multiple offices.
Before Charters, George spent nearly a decade at Savills in Dorset, where he served as Head of Residential Development. In this role, he advised a wide range of clients, including landowners, developers, and institutional investors on high-value land transactions, strategic land promotion, and residential-led mixed-use schemes.
At Buckland, George plays a key role as Sales Director in the ongoing delivery of Welborne Garden Village, a major new community in Hampshire, helping to shape a sustainable and visionary development that will deliver thousands of new homes, infrastructure, and amenities over the coming years.
With a deep understanding of the residential market, development land, and the planning and development process, George brings both insight and integrity to his work – building long-term relationships and helping deliver successful outcomes for all stakeholders at Welborne Garden Village.
BETHANY HARRISON
Welcome Centre Manager
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Beth’s focus at Buckland is managing the Welborne, Welcome Centre and its team.
The Welcome Centre is intrinsic to the marketing strategy of Welborne and plays a crucial role in telling the story of this unique development, to visitors and future residents.
Beth brings 15 years of experience, in Sales and Retail Management to support the successful running of the Welcome Centre.
Jenni Streten
Welcome Centre Team
CHARLIE KING
Welcome Centre Team
alex angel
Welcome Centre Team
Jane wilson
Welcome Centre Team