Hargreaves Services plc has announced that its strategic land division is to operate as a standalone business, Hargreaves Strategic Land, led by a newly confirmed senior management team.

The announcement follows a series of recent planning successes and additions to its growing strategic land portfolio and specialist team.

Hargreaves Strategic Land, which is dedicated to promoting greenfield land through the planning system, works in partnership with private landowners to unlock value by bringing sites forward for new sustainable development.

Leading the Hargreaves Strategic Land business as Managing Director is Steve McBurney, who joined Hargreaves as a Director in August 2024. McBurney has over 26 years’ experience in the acquisition, promotion and sale of strategic land having held senior roles at Ptarmigan Land North, Highgrove Strategic Land and CEG.

Reporting to Group CFO Stephen Craigen, McBurney is responsible for Hargreaves Strategic Land’s operations, risk management, performance and growth strategy in line with the Group’s strategic objectives.

Craig Woolmer, who also joined Hargreaves in 2024, becomes Head of Strategic Land (North) and will lead the business’ day-to-day operations across Yorkshire, the North East and the North West. Rob Moore, who joined earlier this year, becomes Head of Strategic Land (Central) covering the Midlands and the South.

Steve McBurney, Managing Director of Hargreaves Strategic Land, said: “This is an exciting time for Hargreaves Strategic Land. Since we established the portfolio in 2022, we have developed a strong reputation for successfully unlocking strategic land sites and creating value for our landowners, developers and local communities. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and excited about our next chapter.”

Stephen Craigen, Group CFO, said: “The Group’s financial strength and continued long-term support mean the business is well placed to continue offering a competitive and high-quality strategic land promotion service to our landowner clients. We look forward to Steve and the team growing the business further.”

Hargreaves Services plc is a diversified Group of specialist companies delivering services to the environmental, infrastructure and property sectors across the UK and beyond. The Group reported revenue of £351.4 million and profit before tax of £40.3 million for the financial year ending 31st May 2026.