Introduction to LDS Boost: Foreword from Mark Hawthorn

Whereas the scale of larger housebuilders allows them to become ‘well rounded’, not necessarily excelling in any particular area, but equally not having any obvious shortfalls, SMEs differ. We tend to find that while a developer has real strengths in one area, be it planning, land sourcing, finance, design, construction, sales or marketing, they will have polarised weaknesses in others.

Hopefully, through this magazine, we can help fill those gaps in expertise, trigger ideas and start to form connections that will help your businesses progress.

As LDS is part of the Landmark Group, established back in 2000, we enjoy an enviable network built up over this time across our diverse areas of operation. It is our sole focus at LDS to support SME housebuilders in bringing forward much needed new housing. Our Sales Guarantee and bespoke lender products are a major part of that, but there is a lot more we can and will be doing.

We’ve all heard that “knowledge is power” and there is a strong correlation between the size and quality of our networks and our successes. Boost aims to bring relevant knowledge, resources and contacts to the attention of SMEs. We believe that the better informed and resourced a developer is, the more confidence and ability they will hold to bring forward increased supply.

Boost is fully funded by LDS and it’s our intention to carry no advertising, merely to bring you topical contributions from across the industry. We will adapt each edition to market conditions and feedback, so please let us know what you think and would like to read about in future. And if you have content that the market needs to hear, then we would love to hear from you.