Meet Land Director, Tony Biddiscombe

Before we can bring new homes to life in our iconic developments, a great deal of work happens behind the scenes. At the heart of this process is our Land Director, Tony Biddiscombe, who plays a crucial role in securing the best sites at the right prices—laying the groundwork for our future residential and commercial projects. We sat down with Tony to learn more about his role at Chase New Homes.

What does your role as Land Director entail?

“In a nutshell, I’m responsible for identifying, evaluating, and managing land opportunities that align with Chase New Homes’ vision. This includes assessing site types, scale, location, planning status, and ultimately ensuring each acquisition delivers value and profitability.”

What’s the best part of your job?

“No two days are the same. One day, I might be at my desk, crunching numbers to maximize the value of an offer, and the next, I’m out in my wellington boots, walking fields or brownfield sites to assess their potential. I also spend time building and maintaining relationships with land, planning and design contacts and meeting landowners. This element is crucial to my role and our business growth, and I can confidently say that throughout my time in this industry, strong relationships, partnerships, and credibility, have made the difference in winning some really special sites. This variety certainly keeps things interesting.”

What led you to a career in property?

“I originally trained as a designer, obtaining a degree in Architectural Technology from Nottingham Trent University. During my studies, I spent a placement year with a housebuilder, which gave me invaluable industry insight. My first role after university was in a technical team, where I was supported in earning a master’s degree in project management.

As I gained experience, I became drawn to land acquisition and new business. Over the years, I’ve worked with developers, contractors, and housing associations, helping drive growth through strategic land purchases. I’m passionate about regeneration—seeing underutilized sites transformed into vibrant places for people to call home is incredibly rewarding. I love that my role allows me to be at the forefront of sourcing opportunities and collaborating with planners, consultants, and our internal teams to create developments that are both financially viable and architecturally outstanding.”

What’s it like working at Chase New Homes?

“Chase is a privately owned, family-run business, which means we work hard but maintain a dynamic and informal culture. The company recognizes and rewards those who contribute to its success, and I’ve found it to be an environment where I can thrive.

One of the best aspects of working here is the variety of projects we take on. From traditional two-storey homes, such as at Scholars, Broxbourne, to low- and high-rise apartments with commercial elements, like Lea Wharf in Hertford and Claremont Quarter, Cricklewood ; and even complex conversion projects—like our work at The Waldens in Saffron Walden, which combines both residential conversion of a locally listed school and new build homes in its grounds —each development offers a unique challenge. This diversity allows us to constantly expand our knowledge, from acquisition strategies to technical and construction solutions; and in turn, this diversity offers our whole team a fairly unique opportunity to expand their experience and knowledge base.

Another key differentiator for Chase is our straightforward approach to land acquisition. We don’t rely on negotiation tactics or inflated offers to get the seller’s attention—we make detailed, realistic proposals that the Board can confidently commit to from day one. Because we are privately funded, we have immediate access to capital, allowing us to act quickly—something that often sets us apart from competitors who may offer more but with uncertainty or delays.”

What’s been your favourite project at Chase New Homes?

“We have some exciting developments in the pipeline, but one standout project for me has been our recent purchase in Cuffley.

Initially, we submitted our best offer, knowing it was a figure we could commit to. Unfortunately, other bidders put forward higher offers, and we thought we had lost the site. However, months later, the site came back on the market after those higher bidders failed to deliver on their promises. We reconnected with the landowner and secured a direct deal—at nearly our original offer price. Speed was the seller’s priority at that point, and we committed and delivered an exchange within 14 days and completion within another 14.

The Cuffley acquisition is a perfect example of how real estate isn’t just about making the highest offer—it’s about making the right offer and delivering it. By maintaining a ‘sanity over vanity’ approach, we ensure we secure sites at the right price, rather than chasing inflated market expectations.”