Changes at the top for leading South Yorkshire property firm

3 April 2023

The award-winning South Yorkshire property firm, Dransfield Properties Ltd, has strengthened its senior team of directors.

The company's founder, Mark Dransfield DL, has been appointed to the new role of Chairman of the successful Sheffield-based company, with Estates Director James Shepherd taking the reins as Managing Director.

Mark founded the company more than 30 years ago, with its first development delivering one of the UK's first ALDI stores. Over the last three decades, that relationship with the German discounter hasn't faltered, and Dransfield Properties has also gone on to deliver major town and district centre developments across the UK.

Still true to its roots, the Dransfield team delivered their 26th Aldi store in Huddersfield earlier this year. But in Sheffield, the company is best known for its award-winning Fox Valley development, which has transformed a former steelworks site in Stocksbridge and delivered a successful mixed-use scheme.

The company's resilience has seen it come through the Covid-19 pandemic in a strong position and weather recessions, downturns, and huge changes on the high street over the last three decades. The company has stayed true to its principles of delivering high-quality design in strong market town locations and delivering the right mix of retail, restaurants, and other town centre facilities.

In addition to Fox Valley, the company portfolio includes Sanderson Arcade in Morpeth, Market Cross Selby, Marshall's Yard in Gainsborough, and more recently, Five Valleys in Stroud. Dransfield Properties also owns the successful Sanderson Department Store brand, which has three outlets and a hugely successful online presence.

James Shepherd joined the company in 2009 as a trainee surveyor. The last 14 years have seen his appointment to heading up the company's management arm, GVFM, as well as being invited to the main board as Estates Director in 2016.

He'll now take on the day-to-day running of the property portfolio from the Fox Valley head office as Managing Director.

James said, "I am delighted to be taking on this important role for the business as we look to the future. Our industry has faced many tough challenges in recent years, but one thing that never changes is our commitment to delivering and maintaining high-quality developments for our communities and our tenants.

"Our agile and prudent approach has ensured we are in a strong position as we continue to grow, and I'm looking forward to leading our team through that growth."

Mark added, "We are incredibly proud of what James has achieved at Dransfield Properties and pleased to be promoting within our own ranks to make him Managing Director, a role which he thoroughly deserves. I have no doubt he will make a success of his new role and look forward to the continued success of DPL under his day-to-day leadership."

"I am looking forward to taking on the new role of Chairman, which is going to give me the time and opportunity to focus on our retail arm in Sandersons and also exploring new opportunities which arise."

To find out more about Dransfield Properties, visit www.dransfield.co.uk

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Notes to editors:

Photograph shows: Mark Dransfield DL (left) and James Shepherd.

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk