Getting to know... David Robinson

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, David Robinson, head of strategic land at Story Homes, talks about how work experience sparked his interest in property, the joy he takes in creating new developments and why he's got his fingers crossed for Ashes cricket success.

We know you as the head of strategic land at Story Homes, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

At home, life is wonderfully hectic.

I’ve got two young boys (aged one and three), and watching them grow, learn and get stuck into new things is incredibly rewarding.

Giving them as many opportunities as possible, whether that’s swimming lessons, football or just exploring somewhere new, keeps me motivated both personally and professionally.

At work, I’m really driven by the people side of what we do.

Housebuilding is such a collaborative industry, from landowners, planners and local authorities to architects, contractors and sales teams; every project relies on strong relationships.

I genuinely enjoy networking and building new connections, as well as maintaining longstanding ones.

And finally, good coffee. Let’s just say my caffeine intake has risen sharply since becoming a dad.

Did you always want to work in housebuilding?

My interest in property started in my GCSE years, when I did work experience at a local estate agency.

It sparked a curiosity not just in homes themselves, but in the way communities are shaped.

I went on to study real estate at university on a RICS-accredited course, and became a chartered surveyor in 2016.

After a few years working in consultancy across London and Newcastle, I realised my real passion lay in development, in taking a piece of land and helping turn it into a place where people can live, grow and thrive.

Joining Story Homes has been a fantastic step in my career.

The company combines professionalism with entrepreneurial energy, and being family-owned means you can genuinely see the pride in quality and the focus on building lasting communities in everything we do.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part is definitely seeing a piece of land evolve from a concept on a plan into a beautiful development.

There’s something amazing about knowing the decisions we make early on, whether that’s layout, access or design approach, will have a lasting impact on how people live and interact.

And getting a deal over the line never stops being a buzz.

The hardest part is around the things you can’t control, like planning delays, shifting markets or changing regulations.

Those can test your patience, but they also keep you on your toes and make the wins feel even better.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Outside of work, without a doubt, my family is my greatest achievement.

Watching my two boys grow and develop, and being able to share in all the little milestones, is something I’m incredibly proud of.

Balancing family life with a busy career can be a challenge at times, but it’s also what keeps me grounded and motivated.

When it comes to my career, I’m proud to have played a part in securing and progressing a number of land opportunities that will become high-quality new developments for Story Homes.

How do you relax outside of work?

I like to stay active, whether that’s a bit of sport or chasing after the boys at the park.

I also enjoy cooking and tend to take charge in the kitchen, which is a good way to help me switch off.

Between family life and keeping fit, there’s not a lot of downtime, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What makes the North East such a great place to live and work?

The people are brilliant, friendly, down-to-earth and proud of where they’re from.

We’re lucky here to have the coast, countryside and city life all within easy reach.

It’s a great balance. It could just do with being a few degrees warmer now and again.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

My wife is Australian, so we try to head out there whenever we can to see family and sneak in some sunshine.

There’s always a bit of friendly rivalry in the house when the Ashes are taking place.

Fingers crossed I’ll have bragging rights this time…

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