Former Rainier chiefs launch brownfield development firm
A privately backed Warwickshire developer has launched with plans to unlock former industrial sites across the Midlands, unveiling a starting pipeline of more than 1,200 homes.
Henley-in-Arden-based Redford Developments Ltd has formed with Richard Mees as chief executive and serial property entrepreneur Eric Grove as chairman.
Mees and Grove were formerly at the helm of Rainier Developments, which had a pipeline of over 5,000 new homes and 1.2m sq ft of commercial space, before it was sold to London-based private real estate firm Brydell Partners in October 2025 for an undisclosed sum.
Redford Developments’ core business will be undertaking strategic planning and promotion work for previously developed land with residential potential.
The developer has launched with an active portfolio of 10 brownfield sites, capable of accommodating 1,200 new homes and 80,000 sq ft of commercial space, and is already set to tie-up its first developments.
The company says its ‘significant’ backing will allow it to acquire sites on a subject-to-planning basis or without an established planning consent in place – as well as seeking commercial assets that are currently non-income producing and in need of refurbishment or redevelopment.
Redford Developments chief executive Richard Mees. Credit: Redford Developments
“This new business has been formed to work collaboratively with land and property owners to secure positive outcomes for underutilised assets in urban areas. Being based in Warwickshire, our area of operation will predominantly be the Midlands and the South,” said Richard Mees, chief executive of Redford Developments.
“Having spent 11 years together at Rainier Developments – building up a formidable residential and commercial land portfolio – it’s very exciting for Eric and I to be working together with a top team on this brand-new venture. Redford Developments has the market insight and technical expertise to add significant value to brownfield land, combined with the nimble decision-making you would expect from a newly established team.
“We have launched with 10 sites, which are at various stages of the property and planning cycle, including two recently refurbished, newly let buildings. Over the course of this year, we’ll be lodging four major planning applications and targeting the acquisition of an additional eight sites.”
Construction work in its final stages at the firm’s Charles Green Residences project on Tenby Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, set to deliver 39 apartments and commercial premises in conjunction with the Housing Growth Partnership, while a planning application for the 320-unit Waterways House co-living project in Nottingham was submitted with Wavensmere Homes earlier this year.
Redford is currently progressing four development opportunities in Coventry, two in Crawley, one in Swindon and one in north Birmingham – all on previously developed sites that are either vacant, or underutilised.
