DEVELOPMENT company Fieldfare Properties of Salisbury has a new man at the helm.

Finlay Geekie has taken over from John Bailey as managing director of the company in Brunel Road, which was founded in 1988 and employs 26 people.

He has been with the company for six months and took up his new appointment earlier this month.

Mr Geekie began his career as an architect, working in private practice.

"I have worked for Redrow Homes, finishing at director level, and did a business management degree," he explained.

"I wanted to pursue a management career and this was just what I was looking for. I am as excited now as I was on day one it is challenging and I am enjoying it."

Mr Bailey, who also founded precision engineering company Hi-Tech and Fieldfare Farms, said he would continue as chairman of the group of companies.

"I am quite happy to step back, but I shall still take an interest in Fieldfare Properties," he said.

"We were looking for a younger man with experience to take the company into its next phase and I am sure Finlay will drive the company forward."

Mr Bailey said one of the company's previous developments, of which he is particularly proud, is four town houses and 16 apartments in Gigant Street.

It is currently doing a development of four town houses and eight apartments in Dews Road.

"We have a policy of building on brownfield sites and look to build relatively low-cost housing to give more people an opportunity to buy a property," said Mr Bailey.

Mr Geekie and his wife, Eileen, have two sons Jonathan and Cameron.

Mr Geekie said that in his spare time he enjoys playing squash and taking his sons swimming and to play football.