In 2024, the Cast Board reaffirmed its commitment to managing succession, future ownership and leadership of the business without a sale or similar transaction, ensuring the long-term independence of the company. This strategy places client relationships, business culture and continuity of ownership at its core, and has been reflected in Cast’s continued growth following Keith Brooks’ departure in 2025.
That growth has been supported by the promotion of Danny Garwood, David Oakey, Michelle Hannah and Nick Hunter to ownership roles at the beginning of 2026. As part of the ongoing evolution of the business, Cast confirms that Mark Farmer will complete his planned transition from the business by the end of 2027.
Mark co-founded Cast in 2016 alongside Joe Thornton, Keith Brooks and Neil Brearley, with Lilly Gallafent joining shortly afterwards as an owner to lead Project Management. As CEO, Mark guided Cast through its formative years and subsequent expansion before transitioning from the CEO role to a Board executive position in 2025. Alongside his work at Cast, Mark has played a prominent leadership role across the built environment for more than a decade, particularly following the publication of the influential Farmer Review: Modernise or Die. His commitment to driving industry change has helped establish Cast as a leading consultancy and embedded a culture of innovation and performance improvement throughout the business. Through his extensive engagement with government, industry bodies and other stakeholders, he has also made a significant contribution to shaping debate about the future of the sector.
During 2027, Mark will complete the next stage of his planned transition, stepping away from his executive responsibilities and ownership interests in Cast. He will remain professionally active across the built environment, continuing his industry leadership work while developing a personal advisory and non-executive portfolio.
Joe Thornton, CEO and Founding Director, said:
“Mark’s contribution to Cast, and the wider built environment industry, has been exceptional. His insight, leadership and understanding of the market have helped us build a business that is entirely focused on delivering outstanding outcomes for our clients.
Throughout his career, Mark has consistently been prepared to challenge convention and lead important conversations about the future of our industry. He has been a respected voice within government and across the sector, helping to identify long-term solutions to some of the industry’s most significant challenges.
I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together and of the business we have built. Cast enters its next phase from a position of considerable strength, and I know Mark will continue to make an important contribution to our industry in the years ahead.”
Mark Farmer, Founding Director, said:
“Building Cast over the last decade has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.
Stepping back from the CEO role in 2025 was the first part of a personal plan to eventually exit from ownership of the business. The strength of the leadership team and the business today means I can complete that transition during 2027 with enormous confidence in its future.
For me, this also marks the beginning of a new chapter. I remain deeply passionate about the future of the built environment and the need for continued industry transformation. I’m looking forward to having greater freedom to contribute in different ways through personal advisory and non-executive roles while continuing to champion positive change across the sector.
I will always be immensely proud of the business we have built and will remain one of Cast’s strongest supporters as it continues its successful journey.”
Neil Brearley, Founding Director, said:
“I have worked closely with Mark since 2005, when he became the inaugural Head of Residential at EC Harris. Over the last two decades we have shared many successes, built lasting relationships and created a business of which we can all be immensely proud.
While Mark will undoubtedly be missed within Cast, this transition has been carefully planned since the business was founded in 2016. The strength and depth of our leadership team today is a reflection of that planning, and I am genuinely excited about the next phase of the company’s development.
Cast has a bright future, with our clients and people remaining at the heart of everything we do. I have no doubt that Mark will continue to make a significant impact across the industry, and I very much look forward to seeing where his next chapter takes him. I’m equally sure that our paths will continue to cross and that we will have opportunities to collaborate in the future.”
