Willmott Dixon Establishes National Development Arm to Boost Regeneration and Housing Projects
Stewart Brundell launches Developments
Willmott Dixon has announced the creation of Willmott Dixon Developments, a new national business dedicated to advancing regeneration, residential housing, student accommodation, and public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives. The launch took place at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, attended by investors, developers, local authority leaders, and public sector representatives.
This new entity consolidates nearly a decade of Willmott Dixon’s expertise in development, investment, and regeneration into a unified national platform. The leadership team comprises David Atkinson, Director of Development and Investment, and Chris Wheeler, National Head of Land and Development, supported by regional development teams operating across England and Wales.
Willmott Dixon Developments aims to expand its operations in four core areas where it has demonstrated proven success: regeneration and development management, residential and direct investment, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and PPP and strategic partnerships. The business works closely with councils to develop sites, master plans, procurement strategies, and delivery frameworks. It also selectively deploys Willmott Dixon capital to unlock viable residential projects and collaborates with universities to fund and deliver student housing. Additionally, it focuses on long-term public-private models for complex social infrastructure programmes.
The company is already spearheading several significant regeneration projects across England and Wales. In Torbay, it serves as a long-term regeneration partner managing a multi-site town centre and waterfront portfolio. In Great Yarmouth, it leads masterplanning and planning strategy efforts to unlock North Quay, a vital mixed-use redevelopment near the station. Furthermore, in November 2025, Willmott Dixon Developments, in partnership with joint venture partner Milligan, was appointed by Dorset Council to a Regeneration Partnership tasked with shaping the future of Weymouth.
Graham Dundas, Chief Executive Officer at Willmott Dixon, described the launch as a pivotal development for the group. He stated: “Willmott Dixon Developments is an important next step for our group and creates a clear national platform for the development, investment and regeneration work we have been doing successfully for nearly a decade. Over that period our specialists have developed a track record for unlocking complex sites, turning early-stage ambition into viable, fundable and deliverable schemes.”
He added: “This launch establishes Willmott Dixon Developments as a dedicated national business with the people, capital, partnerships and network to help councils and other partners move faster from ambition to delivery. By combining genuine development and investment expertise with the construction insight that makes plans buildable, we are well placed to play a significant role in shaping the places this country needs.”
David Atkinson emphasised the company’s mission to address common challenges faced by councils and universities. “We exist to solve the problem we hear most often from council and university partners: how to move stalled or complex sites from ambition to delivery. Our role is to act as a single, accountable partner that can shape the scheme, structure the funding, share risk where appropriate, and bring the certainty that comes with knowing how a project will be built.”
He continued: “That blend of development, investment and delivery insight is rare in the market, and it is why we are leading long-term, multi-site regeneration programmes in places like Torbay, Great Yarmouth and Dorset. We are established players in this space, not market entrants. Launching Willmott Dixon Developments simply makes it easier for partners to see what we offer and how to work with us.”
The launch is accompanied by a brand promise, “Your ambition, delivered together,” aimed at clarifying the company’s value proposition to councils, universities, investors, and other partners.
