Management Team
We have an experienced senior management team that have delivered an array of successful projects in various sectors. The team has considerable experience of delivering complex and multifaceted projects from one of houses to large mixed-use developments.
Martin Wood
Managing Director
Hibau is lead by our founder and Managing Director, Martin Wood. Martin started his career with Prowting Homes PLC (now part of Persimmon PLC) and has worked in the development and construction industries his entire career. In 2006 he joined Cathedral Group PLC and was subsequently appointed to the board as Managing Director and shareholder.
During his time at Cathedral, Martin lead a series of complex residential and mixed-use projects. Cathedral was an A1 NHBC registered builder/developer. Many of the projects Martin lead resulted in prestigious awards, including the Sunday times apartment building of the year.
In 2015, cathedral merged with Development Securities PLC, which subsequently became U&I PLC. Martin sat on the Executive Committee of U&I PLC and was directly responsible for the delivery of a variety of residential and mixed-use projects with a combined value of £2bn. He also lead the Public Private Partnership team, specialising in working in partnership with public bodies.
In 2017 martin left U&I to start his own consultancy and development business and subsequently formed Hibau. Hibau’s first development is Otium Lake, Pluckley – an exclusive development of 31 homes in a lakeside setting, where we are also operating as the building contractor. Martin has 2 children and enjoys a variety of hobbies and interests, including turning an ex-military helicopter in his garden into to an amazing outside space!
Andrew Brooks
New Business and Development Manager
After graduating from Exeter university and time spent competing as part of the British Sailing team, Andrew started his career in property at a London based estate agency. Quickly exceeding sales and instructions targets he moved up to management level before an opportunity to move to New Zealand proved too inviting.
During his 5 years in New Zealand, Andrew worked in a range of sales and management roles in the marine and construction industries. Following the arrival of his first Child, Andrew returned to UK and resumed his career in property. He Joined a small property development company based in Tunbridge Wells with the focus of sourcing off market opportunities and heading up the land acquisition and planning process. During his six years with the company, he secured terms on over thirty sites with planning consents across multiple London boroughs, Surrey and Kent. Andrew’s role subsequently expanded into the training and managing of new employees and sourcing new investment.
Joining Hibau in 2021 as the New business and Development Manager, Andrew is responsible for sourcing new development and contracting opportunities across Kent and the South East. He also manages the sales and client relations for the purchasers of our Otium Lake development in Pluckley. Working closely with the Construction and Commercial teams, together they are delivering a stunning bespoke development tailored to each purchasers’ requirements and tastes.
Andrew has three young children and together with his wife dream of the day when they get a full night’s sleep again! He loves finding new adventures to explore with his family and when time permits, he can also be found enjoying his passions of sailing, cycling and golf.
Julia Robinson
Construction Director
Julia graduated from university with a degree in Civil Engineering and started her career as a setting out engineer with Wimpey Construction UK. Since that time, she has worked for a number of regional contractors, working in roles from Site Manager through to main Board Director. In 2016, she created her own consultancy company providing Project Management and H&S services. Julia joined the Hibau Group in 2022 as Construction Director to take responsibility for all construction operations.
Julia has worked in most sectors of the industry including residential, commercial, pharmaceutical, education, prisons and power stations and on a diverse range of projects. She has worked on projects ranging in value from £0.5m to £30m, in both rural and urban locations.
Julia has worked on all stages of a project from preparing planning applications, through the design phase, to the construction phase and onto handover and customer care. With her background as an engineer, Julia takes a keen interest in integrating new technologies and engineering solutions into modern day construction. She has extensive knowledge of quality management systems, the requirements for environmental protections in construction, sustainability commitments and Health and Safety legislation for construction.
Julia is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, and has completed the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety.
When not wading around in the mud on sites, Julia is a passionate rugby union fan, supporting both Harlequins and England across the UK and Europe. On holiday she can generally be found underwater in exotic locations, scuba diving with everything from whale sharks to the tiniest Christmas tree worm.
Wendy Guilloneau
Company Secretary & Account Manager
Wendy attended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls and after completing her A Levels, she left to start her career in accountancy. Wendy’s first job was an Account’s Assistant for a card company in Paddock Wood.
Wendy has worked within accountancy for 20 years gaining knowledge working within different companies from credit control to payroll. Before joining Hibau, Wendy’s last job was working as an Accounts & Operations Manager for a Trampoline park and outside bar in East London.
Joining Hibau in March 2021 as an Accounts Assistant, Wendy has subsequently been promoted to the position of Accounts Manager and Company Secretary. Within this period Hibau have supported Wendy to progress through her AAT and Company Secretary training, to achieve the formal qualifications within her profession.
In her spare time, Wendy is a keen hiker and is currently trying to hike all the Fells in the Lake District. Wendy has completed 69 fells with 145 to go. Wendy is also currently learning French so she can try and pronounce her surname and spends her weekend exploring with her Bull Terrier.
