Jeff Fairburn

Chairman

Avant Homes

Wetherby, UK

Jeff Fairburn’s Biography

Jeff Fairburn is a highly accomplished British businessman with more than three decades of UK housebuilding experience. He currently serves as Chairman of Avant Homes, a leading regional housebuilder with developments across the Midlands, North of England and Scotland.

Jeff grew up in York and left school at 17 to train as a quantity surveyor under a Youth Training Scheme while studying part time for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) at York Technical College.

Jeff joined Persimmon Plc, then an emerging regional UK housebuilder, in 1989. He played a key role in Persimmon’s M&A activity and business integration which transformed the Group into a national housebuilder. Jeff was appointed its CEO in April 2013 and under his strategic vision and leadership between 2013-2018, the FTSE100 housebuilder delivered industry leading performance including total shareholder returns exceeding 190%. Through his expertise and drive, the business increased annual completions from c.10,000 units to over 16,000 units, doubled operating margins from mid-teens to c.30% and trebled return on capital... Jeff Fairburn is a highly accomplished British businessman with more than three decades of UK housebuilding experience. He currently serves as Chairman of Avant Homes, a leading regional housebuilder with developments across the Midlands, North of England and Scotland.

Jeff grew up in York and left school at 17 to train as a quantity surveyor under a Youth Training Scheme while studying part time for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) at York Technical College.

Jeff joined Persimmon Plc, then an emerging regional UK housebuilder, in 1989. He played a key role in Persimmon’s M&A activity and business integration which transformed the Group into a national housebuilder. Jeff was appointed its CEO in April 2013 and under his strategic vision and leadership between 2013-2018, the FTSE100 housebuilder delivered industry leading performance including total shareholder returns exceeding 190%. Through his expertise and drive, the business increased annual completions from c.10,000 units to over 16,000 units, doubled operating margins from mid-teens to c.30% and trebled return on capital employed, a key value driver, from 14% to 54%. When Jeff left Persimmon in 2018, the Group’s share price was trading at a significant premium to its peers.

In 2020, Jeff’s investment in a 50% stake in Berkeley DeVeer, a Yorkshire-based housebuilder, provided a platform to acquire Avant Homes backed by Elliott Advisors a year later. Since then, Jeff’s has used his vast experience establishing a sustainable, multi-tenure business model fit to address the current challenges of UK housebuilding. He was instrumental in activating early membership of the New Homes Quality Code which promotes consumer protections as well as quality. Avant operates from eight regional offices, builds c.2,000 homes a year and employs more than 600 people. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Jeff Fairburn’s Newsfeed

The Business Desk

Housebuilder gets green light for £29m development

Housebuilder Avant Homes Central is planning to construct 104 new homes in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. The development, named Lawrence Point, has received planning permission and is estimated to cost £29 million.

Insider Media

Avant Homes gets the go-ahead for £41.9m development

Avant Homes has received approval for a £41.9m housing development in Dodworth, South Yorkshire.

View News Archive

Jeff Fairburn’s Background

Avant Homes

Chairman

Apr 2021 - Present

Barlborough, UK

Avant is a leading regional housebuilder with locations across the Midlands, North of England and Scotland.

Berkeley DeVeer

Chief Executive

2020 - 2021

Wetherby, UK

Berkeley DeVeer is a Yorkshire-based UK housebuilder, known for constructing high-quality homes with an emphasis on innovative design and sustainability, and catering to a diverse range of homebuyers and communities.