Over the past decade, Cast has built a reputation as an industry-leading consultancy. We have nurtured exceptional talent and forged lasting relationships with clients and stakeholders in industry and government. This has enabled us to work on some of the most interesting and challenging projects in the UK and internationally.
During this period, the UK’s residential sector challenges have only intensified. The need for new homes persists, but so do the industry’s delivery challenges. In response, we have become vocal proponents of industry modernisation, continually evolving our services to help clients tackle increasingly complex projects within these industry constraints.
Our journey to date has laid a strong foundation for our business. We aim to continue evolving, focusing on new and emerging opportunities and challenges. Our clients value our culture and innovative approach, which we consistently demonstrate as experts in our markets.
Over the past two years, as part of a planned transition in ownership and leadership, we have invested in developing our next generation of leaders. We reaffirmed that our wholly owned operating model is aligned to driving the next stage of development, keeping us in full control of our destiny. Present and future Directors of Cast will have the opportunity and motivation to become true owners, sharing in the future development and success of the business. The needs of our clients and employees have been central to our decision-making as we plan for the future.
In line with our planned transition of both ownership and leadership we confirm the following changes to the Cast executive team, effective from May 2025:-
- Keith Brooks will be retiring from Cast and taking a career sabbatical. A non-executive chairman will be appointed in due course to provide external perspective and guidance to the board.
- Mark Farmer will move from his current CEO role to focus on board responsibility for driving Cast’s brand and future market strategy.
- Joe Thornton will become the CEO, responsible for leading the next phase of business growth.
- Lilly Gallafent will remain as COO, with continued focus on the development of our people, services, and our business operations.
- Neil Brearley will continue with his board responsibility for focus on our clients.
- Joe, Lilly, Mark and Neil all remain owners of Cast.
As a sign of future intent, we are also pleased to announce that we will shortly be opening our second office in Edinburgh, headed by Cast Director, Chris Kerr who will be relocating to Scotland. Based on our engagement with both existing and potential clients, we are enthused by the interest that has been shown for introducing our unique approach to consultancy to the Scottish market.
Mark Farmer said “The last 10 years has seen Cast develop from a start-up to a highly respected and successful consultancy business whose brand is recognised all over the world. Our business succession plan will now underpin the next phase of our growth and create real opportunities for our talent pool. I am proud to have co-founded and led such a great business and I look forward to playing my part in the journey ahead, leveraging my position in the market to help shape growth and diversification.”
Keith Brooks said “Thank you to everyone who has supported Cast since we opened for business back in 2016. We have thrived through an unparalleled period of change because we have listened to our clients, inspired our people and focussed on delivering a better outcome. The next generation of Cast leadership embody these core principals and will drive Cast to even greater success.”
Joe Thornton said “We are a people business who help clients deliver amazing projects in an increasingly challenging market. Over the last 10 years we have enabled the development of some exceptional professionals and I’m excited to be working with them to support our clients as I lead the next evolution of Cast. Whilst the industry faces challenges, our ability to find solutions and utilise evolving technologies is going to be a major feature of continuing to deliver better outcomes for our clients.”
