'The Tara Group has a very exciting future' says Staffordshire-headquartered group's new chairman
A new chairman has been appointed at Staffordshire-headquartered Tara Group, as Sir John Crabtree steps down after six years in the role.
Ian Burns, who founded Cameron Homes - one of three divisional companies - in 1994, has been appointed to the top role.
Tara Group, which has always been in the ownership of the Sweeney family, has 300 employees and achieved a £213 million turnover in 2025, with net assets in excess of £100m.
Sir John Crabtree became a Tara Group trustee in 2017 – a position he retains – and took on the role of chairman in 2020, following the death of Noel Sweeney, who had founded Chasetown Civil Engineering in 1974.
Affordable housing and partnerships specialist Keon Homes is the newest of the three group businesses. Established in 2018, the firm constructed 248 homes last year, resulting in a £60m annual turnover. Cameron Homes is on track to achieve a £140m turnover before the end of the decade. The companies are active in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire.
Julie Caudle, chief operating officer for Tara Group, said: “We are immensely grateful to John for steering the group’s recent growth since 2020 by empowering us to think differently, while staying true to our founding principles and values. Doing ‘good’ business in accordance with these values and investing in people demonstrates SMEs can break the ceiling.
“Tara Group’s building blocks are aligned for long-term growth and exemplary sustainability, which we are working holistically to deliver. Making profit also means we can reinvest it – on people most in need within the communities we operate in. The Noel Sweeney Foundation donated £512,000 to 199 local causes last year alone. In addition, the staff of Cameron Homes, Chasetown Civil Engineering and Keon Homes devoted 700 volunteering hours to 23 charities and projects during 2025.
“Sir John is passing the baton to Ian Burns, who was the founder and inspiration for Cameron Homes – a brilliant five-star HBF housebuilder. Not only is Ian very well known to all the staff within the group and the Sweeney family, he has been involved in the regional housebuilding and construction industry for over four decades.”
Ian Burns, aged 65, was the managing director of Cameron Homes for 29 years until October 2023, when he transitioned from working full time to consultancy and non-executive roles. He is a senior advisor to the Housing Growth Partnership, a non-exec director of the New Homes Quality Board, a school governor, and became a non-executive director of Cameron Homes after Guy Bebbington’s promotion to managing director
Ian Burns, the new chair of Tara Group, said: “I am thrilled to be appointed by the trustees and directors to become the chair of Tara Group. While Cameron Homes and Keon are responding to the housing crisis and constructing energy efficient, quality homes, Chasetown Civil Engineering is delivering technical groundworks to the highest standard, resulting in a formidable project pipeline. With 1,000 new homes in our sights, our collective mantra is more homes, same heart.
“Everyone within the group of companies is working in a dynamic way with supply chain partners to innovate, while staying true to our values and 50-year track record. 26 qualified mental health first aiders are situated across our offices and sites, and we have an exemplary approach to sustainability and inclusion. Our ‘Speak Out’ campaign demonstrates the care and respect we have for everyone who works for us and with us, which extends to our proud list of longstanding suppliers and subcontractors.
“Thirteen per cent of our workforce are currently in earn and learn positions, so we are especially proud to be expanding our highly successful Tara Academy, which runs the group’s early talent initiative, including work experience, graduate and apprenticeship programmes, and developing the skills of the wider workforce.
“These exemplary businesses are great brands, with great reputations. Experienced, passionate, entrepreneurial directors and teams are driving growth, investing in talent, keeping people safe, and overcoming industry challenges. The Tara Group has a very exciting future.”
