Grainger plc has announced two appointments as the business gears up to launch The Filaments, the FTSE-250 firm’s second scheme – a 376-home Build to Rent development on Gore Street, Salford, Greater Manchester.
Leanne Hargreaves has joined Grainger plc as General Manager, overseeing operations for The Filaments in Salford and Brook Place, a development in Sheffield. She will help with the lease-up and move-in process at The Filaments, while ensuring residents receive the best customer experience possible.
Before joining Grainger, Leanne worked at Manchester-based residential property management specialists – urbanbubble. Leanne has a wealth of property experience in the local area having also worked on residential projects for Legal and General. In November 2020, she was also appointed as Regional Representative for Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside for ARLA Propertymark.
Grainger has also appointed Jonathan Hyde as regional lettings manager for the North, overseeing Grainger’s northern Build to Rent portfolio, which includes 1,628 homes either completed, under construction or in planning, across Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.
Jonathan’s immediate priority will be spear-heading pre-leasing activity at The Filaments, as well as driving continued leasing activity at Grainger’s Clippers Quay development, also in Salford.
Prior to joining Grainger, Jonathan held senior roles at companies specialising in residential property. His most recent position was Managing Director at investment firm Hopwood House, where he was responsible for developing the brand and expanding the sales team. Before then he was a director at estate agency Julian Wadden & Company, which specialises in the south Manchester sales and lettings market.
“We are delighted to have built a strong team to support the launch of The Filaments, both Leanne and Jonathan bring great local experience and a passion for what they do.
“We are excited to see The Filaments progressing and remain confident in demand for high quality, professionally managed rental properties that cater to modern lifestyles by providing everything people could need under one roof.”
Rachel Hanniquet-Brooking, Head of Onboarding and Operations, Grainger plc
Between Clippers Quay and The Filaments, Grainger will be responsible for close to 900 rental homes in Salford, providing much-needed high quality private rented housing in the area.
The Filaments, named because it’s located on the first UK street to have gas-powered public lighting, promises renters the opportunity to live in a home designed and built exclusively for rent, with an on-site team providing round-the-clock professional management delivered by an award-winning landlord.
Homes at The Filaments – which include duplexes, townhouses and traditional apartment layouts – have been available to pre-let from mid-November, with the first residents due to move in early next year.
“The Filaments will complement our existing Build to Rent development in Salford, Clippers Quay, where we have seen great demand over the last few months.
“Together, Clippers Quay and The Filaments will give us a strong operational cluster in Salford that will drive efficiencies through economies of scale, resulting in better service for our residents.
“We remain committed to the Greater Manchester market, thanks to strong fundamentals such as rising rental demand driven by the city-regions booming economy and a relative under-supply of high quality private rented housing.”
Rachel Hanniquet-Brooking, Head of Onboarding and Operations, Grainger plc
