Firm that's building thriving communities

The Willan family returned to their home county of Cumbria in 2008 after spending eight years living in Canada, where John Willan, his wife Fiona and his brother Stephen rented out storage units and apartments, as well as developing their own auction mart business in Ontario. 

John and Fiona’s son, Jonathan, was 12 years old when the family made the move but like the rest of the family felt the pull to return. 

“Canada was a great place, yet it lacked that important touch of feeling like home,” says Jonathan. On their return, the family again went into business together by building their first property in Appleby, despite the challenges and uncertainty caused by the crash of 2008. It laid the foundations for the incorporation of the family business, Willan Trading Limited, which is still thriving today. 

“In certain aspects, it was an opportunity to begin with open eyes rather than diving in when everything was at its peak,” says Jonathan Willan, who is now the company’s managing director. “You could observe the areas where perhaps things had gone awry for other developers and glean valuable lessons from their experiences.” 

Willan Trading - which now operates under the brand name Willan Living - was incorporated in 2010, building two units a year at the time with Jonathan and the rest of the family taking a hands-on approach working on the sites themselves.  

Based in Brougham, Penrith, it now builds around 25 units a year and has constructed almost 250 homes across 29 developments in and around Cumbria since it began. 

Current developments include a 14-property development at The Pastures, Moorhouse - which is nearing completion - and the commencement of five barn conversions and five new builds at Manor Farm, Thursby. Both sites are near Carlisle.  

The company also has a live planning application in progress for their upcoming site at Newlands Estate, Braithwaite, featuring 15 new homes.  

More family members have joined the business since 2010, namely Jonathan’s wife Natasha, who is head of brand and business development and his brother Jamie, who is head of construction.  

They are part of a team of 14 staff, with Willan Living also engaging a network of subcontractors and other professionals. 

Jonathan says while the cost of building houses has risen in recent years, Willan have remained focused on producing quality homes. 

“It involves contemplating how to construct things as efficiently as possible, while also ensuring a high-quality output,” he says. "We are really driven to create quality homes, carefully choosing the locations where we place them. Our homes are generous in both size and quality of finish, and we are dedicated to building thriving communities that will stand the test of time. Energy efficiency is a top priority nowadays, and it’s another aspect we emphasise in our homes.  

“For instance, air source heat pumps have gained prominence in new build homes recently, but we’ve been incorporating them into our designs for the past several years. It’s a commitment made at an early stage, well before it became a mandatory requirement.” 

With the demand for housing remaining high, he says Willan Living is set to continue to grow its presence across the county. “There is a substantial demand for new housing driven by factors such as population growth, economic development, shifting demographics, and the impact of Covid. These elements not only fuelled the need for housing but have also brought increased attention to Cumbria,” says Jonathan. 

"We have several additional sites in the pipeline, poised to bolster our expansion and contribute to the provision of essential housing for Cumbria. Our aim is to enhance our output and meet the growing demand for quality homes in the region. 

"I consider myself fortunate to be part of a family business and it’s a structure that suits us exceptionally well.  

“We all have a deep understanding and appreciation for the unique dynamics each person brings to the business, creating a smoother working environment.”