Managing Director of Gaunts Ltd retires

Chris Pratt has retired as Managing Director of Gaunts Ltd, after being at the helm for the last 13 years.

Chris has been based at our main site, Springfield Mills in Farsley since his appointment in 2012 and he has been instrumental in re-organising and expanding the company’s property portfolio. He has overseen the re-development of the Springfield Mills site, upgrading the units to provide a modern and popular working environment, as well as co-ordinating the installation of solar panels to both Springfield and Hilltop in Bramley, which now generates 40% of the electricity.He has increased the company’s assets from over £10 million to £16 million, and the total number of tenancies across the company has increased by a third. He also reorganised their property portfolio selling 2 small sites and purchasing 5 larger sites across North and West Yorkshire. 

A Chartered Accountant, first qualifying with Price Waterhouse after graduating from University of Sheffield, Chris lives in Silsden and has worked in Yorkshire for 30 years as a Finance and Commercial Director for many companies across a wide range of industries.Chris will still be a non-executive director at Gaunts and is overseeing the completion of a new build project at Springfield, which features 8 new hybrid commercial units, available from the start of 2026.

“I have enjoyed working with a wide variety of people and businesses over the years, says Chris. It’s been great to be a part of a thriving business community, whilst being supported by the professional and hardworking team at Gaunts Ltd. But I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other hobbies. I’m currently getting into bee keeping at the moment, and we’re producing pots of honey as table gifts for my daughter’s wedding in September!”

New Managing Director of Gaunts is Paul Curson, a chartered surveyor with over 30 years’ experience in property and asset management and has worked for CBRE and JLL across Yorkshire and the UK. Chris says “Paul brings a wealth of property experience and contacts to the role, as well as his enthusiasm to become directly involved in managing the team and tenants at Gaunts and I know I will be leaving the company’s future in safe hands”.