Podcast Episode #16: Material Matters, Cut and Fill
May 5, 2026
Explore how early cut and fill strategy, sequencing and on‑site material management shape cost, programme and environmental outcomes on development projects.
We are pleased to announce that Roger Northam has joined the main board at Brookbanks as a Non Executive Director from October 7th 2021 at an important time in our growth strategy.
Paul Boileau, Brookbanks’ Group Managing Director commented “having worked with Roger for over 14 years on some of the largest development projects in the UK, I am delighted to be working with him once again and to be benefiting from his wealth of experience at this pivotal point for Brookbanks.”
Roger has worked in the housebuilding industry for over 40 years commencing as a Management Trainee with Bryant Homes in 1979, where he obtained his MCIOB. Initially working in the commercial team for Bryant West Midlands he then moved to the South West as Sales Manager for the newly set up region in 1985. He later worked for Crest Homes Midlands as Sales and Marketing Director for 7 years, at the same time achieving an MBA from Warwick University.
Roger joined George Wimpey West Midlands as Sales and Marketing Director in 1997 before being promoted to Managing Director for Taylor WImpey Midlands at the time of the merger between George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow in 2007. He moved the Midlands team to Warwick in 2008. He has also been a Divisional Managing Director for the North West and Midlands division and MD for the West Midlands business in Solihull.
Roger retired from Taylor Wimpey in April 2020 and we are delighted to have persuaded him to join us at this important stage of Brookbanks’ growth.
Explore how early cut and fill strategy, sequencing and on‑site material management shape cost, programme and environmental outcomes on development projects.
Rising geopolitical tension does not affect development viability in isolation, but through increasing pressure on energy prices, supply chains and the cost of energy‑intensive materials. Where schemes are progressed on assumptions made under more stable conditions, these pressures can quickly challenge margins, appraisals and deliverability, particularly in a flat housing market. Our article looks at how developers can respond to build cost volatility in a more informed and proportionate way. Drawing on our specialists' experience, it explores how early coordination, design‑led value engineering and integrated decision‑making can help manage cost risk, protect scheme viability and avoid short‑term measures that compromise long‑term quality and value.
Welcome to our April 2026 newsletter. In this month's Brookbanks newsletter, learn more about how high-rise developments can be made more deliverable, with guidance on how you can reduce risk and protect viability. We're also looking back on our April webinar, where Annabel Le Lohe and Katherine Peers gave a rundown of Environmental Impact Assessments and how coordination can make a real impact on project delivery. Plus, there's a recap of this month's podcasts featuring two special guests. Paul Smith, Managing Director at The Strategic Land Group, and Tom Park, Associate Development Director at Caddick Developments. Also, find out which members of our team will be at UKREiiF as well as more about the CPD event we're co-hosting with the LPDF in May.