Willmott Residential will be led by former Berkeley Group finance director Nick Simpkin who joins as chief executive.

The new operation will contain the contractor’s two development brands – Prime Place and Be:here, – with its newly branded contract housing arm Willmott Partnership Homes.

Willmott Dixon group chief executive Rick Willmott said: “The launch of Willmott Residential provides clear differentiation in the way we now present and manage the group and underlines how serious we are in growing our residential presence.

“The company will provide an integrated business for our wide ranging residential skill-sets with better internal collaboration and utilisation of synergies.

“Nick brings a long track-record of success in housing development during his time at Berkeley and will lead a fine senior leadership team supported by Andrew Telfer who has been pivotal in growing our development capability over the last seven years.

“I’m delighted that Nick has chosen to join us; it’s a testament to the huge potential he sees in our residential capability.

“I’m confident he’ll provide the strategic fire power we need to grow our residential business and I’m very much looking forward to working with him.”

Willmott Residential already has a significant presence in the market developing homes for sale through Prime Place and private rent through Be:here, with 5,000 units on site or in planning.

In addition Willmott Partnership Homes already builds 2,000 homes a year with an expanding geographic presence and strong client base that includes housing associations, developers and local authorities.

Willmott added: “Given the country’s huge long-term demand for new homes, we have a golden opportunity to be one of the UK’s pre-eminent developers and builders of homes, and these plans will ensure we are best placed to realise that.

“By aligning our residential business within one company and creating a distinct identity, Willmott Residential will ensure we are equipped to realise our ambitions and seize the opportunity for expansion created by the hard work of our teams at Prime Place, Be:here and Willmott Partnership Homes.”