Bridgemere UK, led by former Redrow Chairman Steve Morgan CBE, has appointed Nicole Burstow as its new Chief Financial Officer.

Burstow joins from Dow Schofield Watts, where she was deputy CEO and CFO, and previously spent nearly 16 years at Deloitte.

She succeeds Ashley Lewis, who is retiring in September after 20 years at the company.

Cheshire-based Bridgemere UK, which is part of the £1bn Bridgemere group of companies, has investments predominately in the housing, property and leisure sectors which include Carden Park Hotel & Spa and Castle Green Homes, one of the UK’s fastest growing housebuilders.

Bridgemere Investments, which is also part of the Bridgemere Group, has a substantial shareholding in Redrow and Spire Healthcare and is also currently underwriting Regional REIT’s £110.5m capital raise.

Morgan said: “It’s an exciting time for Bridgemere and we’re delighted to have recruited someone of Nicole’s calibre.

“It is rare to find a comparable role outside London, and the position attracted a huge level of interest. 

“The range and diversity of projects we’re involved in is unprecedented and Nicole will work across all aspects of the business, including The Steve Morgan Foundation. 

“Nicole was an exceptional candidate in a very strong field, and she joins the company at a time of huge opportunity.

“Castle Green Homes is looking to build 600 homes in the current financial year while we’ve invested £25m in the last five years alone at the Carden Park Hotel, including £10m to develop an award-winning Spa, now recognised as one of the best in Europe.

“More recently we played a major role in the proposed merger of Redrow with Barratt Developments, as well as underwriting Regional REIT’s £110.5million capital raise.”

Burstow said: “I’m delighted to have joined Bridgemere. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I knew I just couldn’t turn down.

“The range and diversity of the role is unique and we are seeing a number of exciting opportunities in the current market.

 “Being involved in the Steve Morgan Foundation, which has been changing the lives of millions of people since 2001, will be hugely rewarding and I am very much looking forward to working with the Trustees to continue to make a positive difference to those in need.”

Morgan, who is a leading philanthropist, also played tribute to the outgoing Finance Director Ashley Lewis.

“Ashley has been a valued friend and trusted colleague for 20 years.  Over this period, the Group has seen transformational change, including developments across Europe, the acquisition and sale of Wolves and several other transactions including our earlier healthcare investment in Circle.  His significant contributions at Carden Park Hotel and Castle Green Homes, as well as his work at The Steve Morgan Foundation have been hugely valued and appreciated and I wish him well in his retirement.”