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When asked how to remedy Hartlepool鈥檚 deprivation, back in the 1990s, Alan Cherry replied: 鈥淢ove it鈥�. It was not the most diplomatic of answers, given that he was on the board of the Teesside development corporation. 鈥淚t was no disrespect to the town,鈥� says Cherry, recalling the remark. 鈥淗artlepool needed significant change 鈥� and I believe the corporation largely succeeded.鈥�

His forthright answer was typical of the Countryside Properties chairman. Whereas most housebuilders talk only of forward sales and an eternally rosy market, Cherry has never been afraid to engage with the complexities of the housebuilding and regeneration process, and speak frankly about issues. His words flow out in exhortations. 鈥淭he industry has to ask itself why people are anti-development. It is because of the poor quality of developments. We must do it better.鈥� He says of the industry鈥檚 image, and on training: 鈥淥ur industry hasn鈥檛 been doing enough to encourage people in.鈥�

His rounded views have made him a vocal contributor to many policymaking groups, and his company one of the more innovative housebuilders. 鈥淚鈥檝e always liked the company to be bold in its approach. I try to give leadership. It makes for much more interesting and exciting work,鈥� says Cherry. That boldness is reflected in projects like Abode, the radical-looking housing project at Newhall, near Harlow, designed by Proctor and Matthews Architects, the sustainable community at Greenwich Millennium Village, town-centre regeneration projects in Guildford and Croydon, and work with signature architects such as Richard Rogers (Chelmsford) and Will Alsop (Liverpool鈥檚 Fourth Grace).

With sons Graham and Richard taken on as chief executive and business director respectively, Cherry could be suspected of taking things easier, or even perhaps retiring. He parries an enquiry about his age by asking why journalists always want to know how old he is, but later it turns out he is old enough to qualify for a bus pass. However, his ensuing remarks don鈥檛 suggest that his working pace or enthusiasm are diminishing. 鈥淚 want to die working. There鈥檚 so much to do,鈥� he says.

鈥淚鈥檝e never had that Monday morning feeling. Never not wanted to go to work. If you get it right it is rewarding, and not just financially.鈥� For Cherry, who started his career as a surveyor and was a founder partner of estate agent Bairstow Eves before building up Countryside, there have been financial gains too. 鈥淚 suppose I鈥檓 a multimillionaire,鈥� he says, as an aside.

The industry has to ask itself why people are anti-development. It is because of poor quality 鈥� We must do it better

 

The company鈥檚 latest financial results show a record pre-tax profit, up 5% to 拢36m. 鈥淚鈥檓 commercially driven, but I hope that in what it is doing our company has enhanced its base to give rise to more opportunities,鈥� says Cherry. 鈥淚t may not be the most profitable company in the sector yet, but we are giving ourselves long-term sustainability鈥�. And giving the rest of us regeneration, affordable housing, integrated communities 鈥�

In an industry obsessed by consolidation, there has been speculation that Countryside could be an acquisition target, especially given its stake in the Thames Gateway. 鈥淭here is always the chance of an offer I can鈥檛 refuse,鈥� Cherry says.

Before he earned all this success, Cherry says he would like to have been an architect 鈥渂ut I couldn鈥檛 draw鈥�. Instead, he has channelled his creative energies into housebuilding, and a broader ambassadorial role. The latter has taken him onto the boards of the East of England Development Agency, Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership, and more. 鈥淚 think more people in the industry should get involved,鈥� says Cherry, 鈥渟o that when an area is being regenerated they鈥檙e not the last to be called in, but the first.鈥� He was a member of the Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 inquiry into housing in the 1980s, was the lone housebuilder on Lord Rogers鈥� urban taskforce in the late 1990s.