Affordable housing provider SO Resi has appointed its Group Head of Sales, Kevin Sims, into a newly created role to boost the profile of shared ownership.

As Director of Sales and Marketing, Sims will now be responsible for developing the SO Resi brand across the UK.

He joined SO Resi in the summer of 2019 and has a 35-year-long background in the property and mortgage industry, having worked across a number of sectors including new homes development, estate agency and shared ownership.

Before joining SO Resi – the shared ownership arm of housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing – he held Regional Sales & Marketing Director roles for national housebuilders including McCarthy & Stone, Wilcon Homes and Prowting Homes, and was also Regional Director for Countrywide.

He said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be a part of this exciting new chapter for SO Resi, and this brand new role feels like the natural next step in our mission to continue the necessary conversations about shared ownership.

New challenges

“Marketing is an incredibly valuable tool for informing, educating and supporting people about the benefits of affordable schemes. I’m determined to change the way that shared ownership is perceived within the industry, and by first time buyers, many of whom don’t understand the benefits that the product can offer.”

SO Resi has already seen exceptional sales performance in recent years, and has recently launched three new developments: SO Resi Farnham, SO Resi Bracknell and SO Resi Welwyn Garden City.

As many more first-time buyers turn to affordable schemes in the wake of Help to Buy, demand for shared ownership is expected to increase throughout 2023.

The brand-new Director of Sales & Marketing role will see Sims continue to build on SO Resi’s recent successes, alongside taking on new challenges as the housing association moves into the Rent to Buy and London Living Rent tenures – SO Resi’s first London Living Rent development is expected to launch in Spring 2023.

“Where SO Resi differs from other housing providers is the continued focus on encouraging homeownership in a way that is safe and sustainable for the customer,” Sims adds.

“Balancing customer needs with business requirements is a challenge that everyone in this industry faces, As we venture into other tenures, we bring the lessons learnt and successes achieved from working in shared ownership to the table.”