Karm Homes: About Us

We are a multi-sector property company specialising in the development of new build affordable homes, mainly in the Dorset and Hampshire areas.

The company are also residential and commercial landlords with properties let across the country, ranging from studio apartments, flats, houses and office blocks to a 16 bedroom HMO (House of multiple occupancies).

Our business is to research, identify and purchase suitable properties and to create inspirational plans to fulfil the needs of the area and community they will serve.

We do this by purchasing, renovating or converting existing properties to rent or by designing and building new houses, bungalows or flats to sell.

Martin Keenes

Martin worked in the City for 13 years for the Head Office of a major Retail Bank, working in IT on system and process design for payment automation. He later joined a Software development company for 7 years. His move to Dorset in 1997 allowed him to set up his own IT Company. 10 years later his interest in property and keen attention to detail lead him to set up Karm Developments in 2007, and later Karm Homes, with his long time school friend and business partner Roy Alderslade.

Martin continues to run the day to day property operations in Dorset while Roy is busy as Chairman of one of the most reputable and successful plumbing and heating installers supporting London’s foremost residential developers. Martin is an avid skier and cyclist and lives in Poole.

Jon Winson

Jon has extensive local property knowledge, having worked in the property market for over 20 years and has lived in the Poole area all his life. Starting in Estate Agency in 1996, working for one of the largest independent firms in the South, he worked his way up to main board level as a Sales Director overseeing a number of branch offices.

Jon most enjoyed working with many new homes clients from small local developers to national house builders, offering advice on all aspects of the process from site acquisition to the sales and marketing of new units. Early in 2016 it was a natural progression to join the team at Karm with his knowledge of the local market and more importantly knowing what attracts buyers to new property. On a personal note Jon is a keen runner and mountain biker and an average golfer! He and his young family live in Poole.

Roy Alderslade

Roy has over 38-years experience in the plumbing and heating industry, having learnt his trade and built corporate experience operating as a sole trader under RA Plumbing & Heating up until 1986 where he then founded Woodford Heating & Energy Ltd in 1994.

Under his guidance the company grew from humble beginnings to one of the most successful Mechanical Services designers and installers in London, supporting some of the foremost Residential and Commercial developers in the UK. With over 25-years management experience, he now has a personable, highly capable and determined team operating in the London and Home Counties regions.

In 2007, together with his long time school friend Martin Keenes, he set up Karm as a Residential Property Development company operating in Dorset. Roy continues to keep involved as Chairman of Woodford Heating in London and is also actively involved with Karm, helping the company to grow with his corporate experience and funding.

Roy enjoys flying light aircraft, playing golf and off-piste skiing. He lives with his family in Essex.

Kirsty Keenes

Kirsty is our Office Manager. Growing up in Poole she went on to spend 3 years in Dorchester and the surrounding areas whilst studying at Kingston Maurward College to fulfil her interest in agricultural and rural business studies.

After qualifying, Kirsty moved to the Cotswolds to PA for private families and their businesses. Kirsty met her husband Michael and together they have self built their own rural home, which acts as the perfect base for walking their dogs and is conveniently close to a golf course. Kirsty took up golf in 2019 to be able to spend more time with Michael (a keen golfer and at his prompting) and is now a competitive member of the ladies section at Feldon Valley GC.

When not working and researching, walking or playing golf, Kirsty will likely be found riding – her lifelong passion for horses continues and Kirsty is a competent rider.

Keith Colbert

After falling in love with Dorset Keith moved to the county in 1981 where he met his partner Janice. Over the next 30 years he worked mainly as a self employed electrician, but also spent 3 years working in civil engineering, 4 years ground works & even 1 year roofing. Almost 10 years ago with his love for all things building related, Keith decided to come off the tools & move into site management where he quickly progressed to Site Manager for a large Bournemouth based Builder/Developer. Keith is very excited to have become the latest member of the Karm team & looks forward to overseeing all Karm Homes future developments.

Keith lives in Poole, has a grown up family & enjoys country walks & visiting places of architectural interest.