Our Senior Team

Nathan is the Founder and CEO of Priestley Construction as well as our sister companies, Priestley Homes, Priestley’s and 30+ subsidiaries contained within the group. After working in the property industry in agency and then as a consultant, Nathan decided to start Priestley Construction following the successful launch of Priestley’s, now the successful estate and lettings agency within the group. Priestley Construction has experienced unprecedented success and is now a main contractor with clients based across the globe. Delivering projects from office refurbishments to huge listed mill conversions, the company is now a leader in this sector with Nathan directing the company from a standing start, to an award winning conversion and refurbishment specialist.

‘I am very fortunate that my hobby is my job. I am a self-confessed property and business geek. I genuinely love coming to work every day, even on the days when everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. When I do find time to relax, I enjoy road cycling, weekends away and the odd tipple  shared with close friends and family. Oh and food… everything food’

Derry joined the Priestley Group in April 2010 as Priestley Lettings Head of Maintenance. Derry then continued to grow with the Company, taking on various roles before progressing to her current senior role of PA to our CEO and general office manager. Derry is based at our head office in Leeds. Her experience in sales and customer services proved to be valuable to the group. Derry works across all companies in The Group, which now consists of 30+ companies. An invaluable member of the team.

‘As I’m a mother of three, in my spare time I like to cook and look after my two grandchildren Florence and Felix. I love to take the children shopping and cooking them a meal before snuggling up on the sofa to watch a film. I also love to dine out with my family and catch the latest movie at the cinema.’

Rob joined Priestley Construction in September 2016 as Head of Construction. He is a chartered builder with many years experience within the industry on all different types of construction. Starting professional life as a bricklayer, Rob has progressively worked on honing his skills in all aspects of general construction. Progressing to site manager and moving through to Project and Contract Management on several high-profile projects. Rob has excellent communication and client relation skills, and strong practical construction knowledge, which is vital in an industry where problem-solving and a proactive approach is paramount to the success of a project. Rob’s responsibility is to drive the Construction company’s ambitions and ideas into a new era as well as acting as liaison to our development arm, Priestley Homes.

‘I am very family orientated and love to spend time with my four grandchildren as much as possible, doing everything that a grandparent loves to do. This keeps me active, although I am keen to keep up my outdoor walking, as well as DIY.

I am keen on amateur photography, and want to expand this where possible and look forward to capturing that ‘ultimate’ shot of a lifetime.‘

Mike is the Head of Finance based in the Leeds office and has been with the Priestley Group since July 2014. Having worked in finance for over 19 years advising SME’s and large multinational corporations along with the UK and foreign governments, Mike brings a wealth of experience to the Accounts team. After working for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and KPMG for 15 years, Mike utilises his skills across the Priestley Group and enjoys the challenges a fast-growing group presents.

‘When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and young children, watching films and making full use of our annual passes to Chester Zoo.’

David joined the group in 2019 as an architect.  An experienced technologist with a track record of delivering projects from £500k to £10m plus in value. David has a meticulous eye for construction detail and unlike some architects, understands all elements of construction. David works for Priestley Design but regularly works across the group for Priestley Construction on all of its projects.

Jason joined Priestley Construction in August 2018 as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor. He completed his HNC in Construction and the Built Environment and has worked on a variety of projects from grade 2 listed buildings to Shopfitting and Retail. Jason has gained his experience through closely working with Clients, Architects and the supply chain to be able to deliver projects successfully.



I really enjoy my job and I like researching the buildings I am working on. I think it helps deliver a successful project if you understand the client’s vision of the finished product. In my spare time, I enjoy cycling, watching football and going out for meals with family and friends.

Gail joined in August 2018 as a project manager. With many years of experience within the construction industry and having worked within the rural regeneration, residential and commercial sector with particular experience in dealing with heritage and listed buildings. Actively involved in all aspects of the project life-cycle, ensuring continuity from concept to completion, Gail heads up a team of site operatives, subcontractors and consultants to ensure the high standards set at Priestley Construction is adhered to.

I am a very keen sportswoman, representing my County in Hockey and my Country in Rounders. Having a work-life balance is very important to me and I feel Priestley Construction is an avid supporter of this and look forward to building my career here.

Graeme joined Priestley Construction in 2018 and immediately went on-site at James Street apartments as our no.1 on site. With a wealth of site management experience and a love for converting existing buildings, Graeme has come to the right company where his love for converting old buildings into modern and stylish homes and workplaces can flourish.

I love spending time with my family, going on walks with the dog, or other adventures when we have the time. I also like to play golf and spend a lot of my own time reading. I like to go back up to Scotland whenever I get the chance.


My great passion is working in this industry, and get great satisfaction from finished projects, this ties in with my other great passion ancient architecture and construction.

Dimitrios joined the design team in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength. Working on recently successful projects such as Hanover House, Leeds and 12 Picadilly, Bradford, Dimitrios’s eye for detail is unrivalled. With a keen interest in value engineering and space design. Dimitrios is also an expert in BIM and provides clients with a great insight into what their projects can achieve.

‘In my free time, I love to spend it with my daughter spouse mainly traveling. I also like socializing with friends, listening to music, fishing and sculpture. The love and the passion I have for my profession also absorbs a great part of my out of work time.’

Peter joined Priestley Construction in April 2019 and believe it or not he has been working in the construction industry since 1963 and has yet to retire. He started out as a junior QS under the guidance of qualified surveyors, then worked his way to the top commanding positions of seniority. He hopes to be able to contribute to the continuing success of the company. Over 50 years in the trade and counting!

Away from work, I love to travel and enjoy other family pursuits especially with my new granddaughter with elements of DIY and gardening ‘thrown in’ my ambition is to resurrect my interest in motorbikes and boating, probably when I and if retire.

James joined Priestley Construction in May 2019 as a Business Development Manager following a career in the RAF (and a small secondment to the Army). James started his working life as a trainee QS, cutting his teeth on SMM6 and cut and shuffle! James is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and also has an SMSTS, CSCS card and 3-day FAW, just in case site beckons.

Outside of work James has recently been elected to the City Of York Council where he sits on the planning and licensing committees, he is also the taxi to two boys, a scout leader, rugby coach and grows Christmas trees. What little time he has left over he allocates to sleep, but never on the firms time.

It’s great to join a company with a conscience, working with a team that really cares about its clients, delivering high-quality projects safely.

Julie is our senior bookkeeper, working closely with the finance manager across all of the group. Julie is a senior member of the accounts team as a senior bookkeeper and accounts manager. Julie is based at Head office in Leeds but talks daily with the Bradford lettings office and site offices on various construction projects across the country. Julie started working part-time in December 2014 but went full time from May 2015 due to the growth of the companies. Julie is AAT qualified and has gained lots of experience through her career in accounts. She has brought order and consistency to the Group. Julie loves it when everything balances and matches!

‘In my spare time, along with family life, I enjoy walking. I am very lucky because I live in a small village where in ten minutes you can be surrounded by fields and trees. My husband and I recently went up Whernside, one of the Three Peaks in Yorkshire. I have two children who are now old enough to decide if they want to go walking with us – before they had no choice and did the other two peaks with us last year!’

Beth joined the group in 2018. Working within the accounts department, Beth administers all things numbers, as well as helping to improve our systems and processes



When not in work, I enjoy spending time with my horse River and shopping online. My weekends are usually spent going out for food and drinks with my friends and family but when I’m not doing that I’ll be slouched on the sofa catching up on my soaps.

Laura joined the group in 2017 as our front of house receptionist. Having excelled in all aspects of her work, Laura was promoted in 2018 to Office manager for the group. Laura looks after all things HR and the day to day running of the office. A very popular member of the teams in all of the Priestley Group companies with many more years to come.


In my spare time, I am a key team member of the Holmfirth Hotshots Netball squad. I enjoy going on holiday to new destinations, eating out and most of all, planning and hosting my annual Halloween party.

Ellie joined us in April 2019 and is working towards her business admin apprenticeship, she assists all members of staff in their daily tasks to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.

In my free time, I am mostly binge watching my current favourite TV show with my two dogs Bailey & Milo. However, I also enjoy attending gigs with friends, supporting my local football team or going out for food with my family!