COLTEN - Key Persons


Founder Adrian

After leaving Leeds University with a degree in Civil Engineering and following practical experience in both design and site work, Adrian became a full member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. From 1963 until 1967 he worked on the design and construction of motorway systems including the M1. This was followed by six years with John Mowlem & Co, gaining extensive experience in civil engineering covering a wide range of work from the London Underground system to nuclear submarine refueling stations and various civil engineering works at Fawley Oil Refinery stations, and the new docks at Monmouth and Hull. In 1971. together with John Colwell, Colten Developments was formed.

George Colwell - Managing Director

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director
George project manages the construction of all new build property which includes construction of our new care homes for our sister company, Colten Care, and also residential development schemes of varying size. George also manages the refurbishment of our existing care home portfolio across Hampshire, Dorset and West Sussex as part of our estate management strategy.He is joint Managing Director of Colten Developments, together with Rick Otten. They both share an enduring passion to continue development of the residential business for the next generation.

Harvey Baker

Job Titles:
  • Purchasing Manager
Harvey joined Colten in 1988, as an assistant buyer, from a traditional construction company in Southampton. He became Purchasing Manager in 2005 when Chris Jackson retired. The department is responsible for specifying and purchasing a wide range of materials to a high specification and at the right price.

Ian Heard

Job Titles:
  • Group Director of Construction
Ian joined Colten in early 2016 and is responsible for the construction and commercial management of all new build and refurbishment projects from initial feasibility through to practical completion. Ian has a solid commercial background gained from his previous experience with regional and national developers. He works closely with the construction and commercial teams to deliver the end product envisaged at design conception. He value engineers where possible to reduce project costs but without detriment to the high quality product Colten have built a reputation for.

John Colwell - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder
John began his career as a management trainee with Bovis Holdings working on a variety of projects from large superstore construction through to small work conversions. He joined Taylor Woodrow in 1965 and was part of the site management team working on several large sites involved in the regeneration of the East end of London. This was followed by two years with Yeoman & Partners working in contracts management for clients such as Marks & Spencer and Shell. In 1968 the opportunity arose to join a small company involved in house building within the New Forest before forming Colten Developments with Adrian Otten in 1971.

Maria Ayles

Job Titles:
  • Sales Coordinator
Maria joined Colten Developments in 1980, originally as a Receptionist, before moving to work in the sales department; she worked for the Sales Director and then formed a role to market and sell our new homes to prospective purchasers. This role includes reserving a property, through to completion -including any extras that might be required - decoration schedules for the properties and even providing after care with organising snagging for the first two years of occupation.

Nigel Nother

Job Titles:
  • Head of Technical Design
Nigel first joined Colten in 2004 and immediately embraced the role of Senior Architectural Technician. After 11 years, Nigel took a short break from Colten, before returning in 2019 to take up the role of Head of Technical Design. Nigel boasts a wealth of industry experience and his responsibilities include preparing working drawings, electrical layouts and the finer detailing of all Colten schemes, from housing developments and apartments to 60+ bed care homes and contemporary office buildings.

Paul Baldry

Job Titles:
  • Land Buyer
Paul joined Colten in 2022 and is responsible for sourcing and acquiring new residential development sites and opportunities. He has worked within the property market since 2001, dealing with residential, commercial and mixed-use property and land, covering Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex.

Philip Brannon

Job Titles:
  • Director of Development
Phil joined Colten in April 2016 and is responsible for the acquisition, planning, delivery and resale of future development projects. He is a Chartered Planning & Development Surveyor and member of the RICS. He previously worked for Savills UK in the development team - providing development agency and consultancy advice to local and national clients

Rick Otten - Managing Director

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director
Rick joined the family business in 2001 and started gaining valuable experience in land acquisition and navigating the complexities of planning, for both our residential/retirement schemes and our new care homes. He spent time assisting with project management of two of our new 65 bed nursing homes and took control of managing property sales for our residential schemes.Rick is Joint Managing Director of Colten Developments, alongside George Colwell. Both share an enduring passion to continue development of the residential business for the next generation.