Richard Fildes - Chairman

Richard was appointed chairman of Pochin’s in January 2007. In 2014, he was tasked with managing the Pochin’s board and major shareholders in a radical overhaul of the company’s structure, culminating in a successful offer by Middlewich Ltd for the entire share capital of Pochin PLC. Away from the business world, Richard enjoys horseracing – he is a director of Aintree Racecourse Ltd – sailing and skiing. Family life, as always, is busy with his two daughters, Phoebe and Poppy, and a son, Harry.

Sylvia Nicholson - Director

Sylvia Nicholson is the daughter of the group’s founding chairman, C. W. T. Pochin and has been a director since 1965.

Jim Nicholson - Chief Executive

BEng (Hons), CEng, MICE

Jim has been involved in construction and property for 30 years. Having worked at Monk Construction and subsequently Trafalgar House, Jim joined Pochin’s, the company founded by his grandfather, in 1992.

In 1997 he was appointed to the board of Pochin Developments and in 2003 to the main board of Pochin’s PLC.

In 2014, Jim led a family buy-out of Pochin’s PLC, resulting in a business restructure to focus on Pochin’s core activities. Following the buy-out, Jim assumed the role of CEO in July 2014.

Away from the business, Jim enjoys rugby, golf and skiing.  Family life is always busy with his wife Jane and their four children, Sam, William, Oliver and Eleanor.

Nigel Rawlings - Finance Director

FCA

Nigel has acted as a Director or Company Secretary for several fully listed property and construction Groups including The Westbury Property Fund and Assura. He joined Pochin’s as Finance Director in January 2013 and assisted with the privatisation and re-financing of the Group in 2014.

He has considerable commercial experience of financial and operational management, corporate finance and property development and investment, and is both a Chartered Accountant and an FCA-approved Corporate Finance Representative. He has acted on the Boards of five fully listed property Groups and been involved with property in a senior capacity for over 25 years.

In his spare time he enjoys skiing and running, and is an active member of Manchester Harriers and its ‘Over the Hill Gang’ sub-section, completing nine marathons.

Fiona Goddard - Director of HR

Fiona joined Pochin in Autumn 2017 to lead the company’s people agenda and continue to translate the business strategy into engaging People practices which maximise the potential of its most valuable asset – its people.
Initially working in the retail sector with Marks and Spencer and then M&S Financial Services before providing consultancy across a range of different sectors and sizes of organisations, both public and private to realise the potential of their people throughout the whole employee lifecycle.
In addition to completing a Masters in Strategic Human Resource Management, Fiona is a Fellow of the CIPD and continues to assess candidates for professional membership.
Fiona enjoys playing golf, skiing and keeping fit in her spare time, as well being “Barn Owl” for a local Brownie unit!

Jim Alexander - Operations Director

CEng

Jim has been involved in many aspects of construction for more than 30 years. Having started with a small contractor in Glasgow, Jim moved moved south of the border to Alfred McAlpine. After working for DJ Construction and Jarvis Construction, he joined Pochin’s in 2004 as Construction Manager and successfully completed several of the company’s largest contracts.

In 2010 he was promoted to Operations Director for Pochin Construction where he was responsible for all site management. He has considerable experience in managing the build process of varying types of projects as well as the operational management of the business.

Away from the business Jim lives with his wife and pet parrot in beautiful North Wales.

Mark Hatton - Commercial Director

BSc, FIoD

A fellow of the Institute of Directors, Mark has worked within the construction industry and with Pochin’s for 30 years.

He graduated from university in 1991 with a BSc in Quantity Surveying, having been sponsored by Pochin’s since he started with the company in 1986 a trainee QS, later taking charge of his own sites in the North West.

In 1999 Mark was appointed Chief QS, looking after a team of 14 surveyors, before joining the board of Pochin Construction as Surveying Director, a position held until 2008 when he became Commercial Director.

In Mark’s personal life, his interests include rugby, the gym and boxing.  He is married to Karen and they have a daughter Charlie.

Eddie Bredenhann - Business Development & Marketing Director

Eddie has worked within construction and property for 25 years, starting with The Development Trust in Cape Town, South Africa in 1991. In 1998, Eddie took the decision to move to the UK and he joined Pochin’s in 1999 as Marketing Manager.

In 2014 Eddie was appointed as Business Development & Marketing Director as part of the new structure within Pochin’s Ltd.

When not working, Eddie enjoys playing rugby, golf, hosting BBQs and of course family life with his wife Lorraine and their two children, Charley & Isabel.

Bob Nicholson - Property Director

BEng (Hons), CEng, MBA, MICE

Bob has worked in the construction and property sector for nearly 30 years, starting with John Mowlem Construction in 1989 before joining the Pochin’s team in 1998.

In 2012 Bob was appointed to the board of Pochin Developments and throughout 2014 supported Jim in the family buy out of Pochin’s PLC, the restructure and renewed focus on Pochin’s core activities.

He now leads the property team for the business.

Bob still enjoys playing the odd game of rugby but watching more so, along with sailing, walking the dogs and, of course, family life with his wife Martine and their three children, Emily, Harry and Oscar.