Audley Group, the UK’s leading provider of luxury retirement villages, today announces it has appointed Gary Burton as Chief Operating Officer (COO), to add to his current role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Gary joined Audley in 2020 with a wealth of experience from leading businesses including FTSE 100 home improvement retailer Kingfisher plc and health and wellbeing company Nuffield Health. Since joining, Gary has led Finance, Legal, IT, Risk & Governance and Corporate Development. He has been instrumental in accelerating Audley’s growth plans, from signing new debt facilities, including a development facility with Homes England, the lending arm of the UK Government, to working with the Board on new joint ventures with BlackRock and Octopus Real Estate.
As COO, Gary also leads Operations and HR. With a strong track record for leading and delivering change across multiple sectors, his experience in progressing and scaling businesses is invaluable to Audley Group as it continues to build momentum and importance.
Audley has also appointed Group General Counsel Mark Sadler to the Board. Mark joined Audley Group in 2021 from Intu Properties plc, where he was a Senior Legal Counsel advising on M&A, joint ventures and financing. Over the last two years Mark has been instrumental in supporting the Group’s investment activity, advising on transactions, operations, compliance and governance.
Nick Sanderson, CEO Audley Group, said, “Gary’s appointment as COO is really a reflection of the value he is adding to the Group. He has been and continues to be a visionary CFO, and shares with me a passion for the potential in this sector. Operations is vital to the success of the retirement village model; our needs align with our customers in developing and maintaining high quality environments and experiences. Our mission is one that Gary lives and breathes – the desire to help the UK live better, for longer. I’m delighted to work with Gary on this!”
Gary Burton, COO & CFO, Audley Group, said:
“I am delighted to take on this role at a time when Audley Group continues to go from strength to strength. Operations is the beating heart of what we do and obsessing about the consistent delivery of exceptional customer service is our core focus, coupled with a desire to give the UK population the choices they deserve as they get older.”