Hankinson Whittle Strengthens Midlands Leadership Team with Appointment of Gary Clay

Hankinson Whittle is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Clay as Regional Lead for the Midlands, supporting the continued growth and development of the business across the region.

Based across the company’s Midlands offices in Nottingham, Stoke and Wolverhampton, Gary joins the business with more than 20 years’ experience within the social housing and planned maintenance sectors, bringing a strong background in operational leadership, commercial management and long-term partnership development.

Gary began his career as a trainee Quantity Surveyor in Stoke-on-Trent before progressing through a range of senior commercial and operational leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has successfully led large regional operations, delivering significant growth while overseeing operational teams, commercial performance and long-term client relationships across the Midlands and wider regions.

His appointment forms part of Hankinson Whittle’s wider strategic growth plans, focused not only on expanding turnover, but also strengthening regional capability, broadening service delivery and continuing to invest in people, systems and infrastructure.

Sam Frame, Managing Director, commented:

“I’m delighted Gary has chosen to join Hankinson Whittle. I have worked with Gary previously and have seen first-hand the positive impact he brings to a business.

“He has a proven ability to create high-performing teams, develop trusted partnerships with clients, and deliver consistent results in complex operational environments. These are qualities that align strongly with our values and long-term ambitions at Hankinson Whittle.

“Gary’s experience, leadership style and understanding of the Midlands market make him a fantastic addition to the business as we continue building for the future.”

Speaking about joining the business, Gary said:

“I’m really pleased to have joined the team at Hankinson Whittle. I’ve settled in really well and the support from the team has been fantastic from day one.

“It’s clear there’s a strong culture here, with a hardworking and highly capable team already in place across the Midlands. I’ve been really impressed with the infrastructure, the investment into the business and the clear direction for future growth.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and regional relationships into the business, helping strengthen existing partnerships, opening new opportunities and supporting the next phase of growth across the Midlands region.”

Gary’s experience spans planned maintenance delivery from bid and mobilisation stages through to operational delivery and long-term client management. Alongside extensive experience within social housing, he has also supported projects across sectors including education, healthcare, student accommodation and leisure.

His focus will be on supporting sustainable growth across the Midlands, strengthening client relationships, expanding supply chain partnerships and continuing to deliver high-quality services for customers and communities.

Gary also highlighted the importance of social value and community impact within the sector:

“Giving back to the communities we work in is incredibly important. I’ve already seen the positive impact the business is making through its social value initiatives, and I’m looking forward to building on that as we continue to grow.”

The appointment further strengthens Hankinson Whittle’s leadership team as the business continues to expand its regional presence and build on the strong foundations already established across its core sectors.

Watch Gary’s introduction video below to hear more about his career journey, ambitions for the Midlands region and how he has settled into the team so far.