Phillippa Prongué will take up the position of executive managing director of the housing business in the New Year, replacing Helen Bunch who is retiring after 19 years at Wates.

Bunch leaves Wates having overseen a 150% growth and a 73% increase in operating profit during her four-year leadership.

The business, which employs 380 staff, generated £320m of turnover last year and built a forward order book of £2.2bn.

Prongué will look to build on this growth, with over 10,000 homes in delivery or the development pipeline for the next five years.

Wates said its was looking to strengthen its development team across several leadership roles, including hiring a new managing director for its London region.

Eoghan O’Lionaird, chief executive at Wates Group, said: “We are delighted to have Pip come on board to continue this work with her proven track record across the sector that spans many high-profile and large-scale regeneration and residential-led development schemes.”