Colleagues and business contacts have wished a very fond farewell to retiring Beal Homes Sales and Marketing Director Sue Waudby.
They came together to pay a warm tribute to Sue during an evening event at Beal’s head office, celebrating her outstanding achievements and invaluable contribution to the business, and giving everyone a chance to show their appreciation for a much-loved colleague and friend.
Sue’s retirement after 21 years with Beal Homes marks the end of an era during which the sales and marketing function and the business as a whole has been transformed.
Sue joined Beal following senior roles with national housebuilders Barratt, Persimmon and Bellway, becoming then Managing Director Richard Beal’s first senior appointment from a PLC background.
She said Beal’s family ethos and the very special people within the business were what set the company apart from other housebuilders.
“It’s been amazing to work for a family business and with so many brilliant people. It really has felt like being part of a family,” she said.
“Richard had the vision and foresight to do things differently and set ourselves apart from our competitors and the industry. We shared the same ideas, ran with them together and it has been really successful.
“I’m retiring reluctantly, but it’s been a 24/7 job for a lot of years and it’s now time to make more time for me. I’ll be sad to leave the business and so many lovely colleagues, but I’m grateful to be leaving with so many fantastic memories and lasting friendships.”
During her time with the business, Sue has overseen the sale of more than 4,000 new homes, the creation of around 100 show homes and the development of Beal’s unique bespoke home design service.
Annual home sales have climbed from just over 80 completions in the year before Sue joined, to around 300 today, as Beal has firmly established itself as the region’s leading independent housebuilder.
Sue joined as Sales and Marketing Director in January 2003, on the day Beal opened its first purpose-built office on Hedon Road in Hull.
In 2008, a single room in the Hedon Road building was converted into the first Beal Selections Studio, as the housebuilder embarked on its mission to provide customers with homes designed to suit their individual lifestyles and tastes.
That service has continued to evolve and grow, through two further office moves. Today, every Beal buyer enjoys an unrivalled customer experience and range of personalisation options offered from the stunning Design Lounge within the Beal headquarters at Bridgehead business park in Hessle, west of Hull.
Chief Executive Richard Beal thanked Sue for her huge contribution to the business over more than two decades.
“It’s been a fantastic journey and a privilege to work with someone as talented and dedicated as Sue for all these years,” he said.
“Sue has provided continuity, consistency and drive in a crucial role and that has enabled the business to grow beyond all recognition.
“When she joined us, Sue professionalised the sales and marketing function and has continued to move it forward ever since.
“I’m very lucky to have worked so closely with Sue during both the good times and the challenging ones. We’ve shared lots of fun moments along the way.”
Sue leaves Beal on July 5th and is succeeded as Sales and Marketing Director by Ross Clarkson, who is joining Beal from national housebuilder Taylor Wimpey.
