Clan to end two-century stint at helm of Watkin Jones

The boss of Watkin Jones on Monday revealed a surge in sales at the student-housing builder, and said he would step down from the firm his family founded in 1791.

Mark Watkin Jones, who has spent 15 years at the helm, will exit the AIM-listed group due to personal reasons.

A successor hunt is under way, and he will leave after an “orderly” handover period.

“We have grown from a small regional contractor into a national developer,” he told the Evening Standard, adding that the business is in great shape.

Revenues rose 13.1% to £301.9 million in the year to September 30, helped by the sale of student digs in Walthamstow and Stratford. Pre-tax profits more than trebled to £43.3 million.

The departure will mark the first time a non-family member will run the company, founded as a carpentry business by Huw Jones.

Watkin Jones and his family have a combined 30% shareholding worth around £168 million.