Housebuilder welcomes new group MD

Cavanna Homes has announced the appointment of Paul Moran as group managing director.

He joins the Torquay-headquartered family firm with over 30 years’ experience in the housebuilding industry, most recently as regional managing director of Vistry Homes in the South West. He has also served as MD for Barratt David Wilson (Exeter), Bovis Homes (South East), and Bett Homes in Scotland.

From the end of September, Moran will lead the 101-year-old family firm in its second century of trading, supported by group finance director Scott Murray and guided by a board of non-executive directors, chaired by former Cavanna MD Keith Miller, who represent the interests of the Cavanna family shareholders.

Moran’s appointment follows the departure of former MD Grayham Tucker this summer.

Moran said: “I’m proud to be joining Cavanna Homes which has an excellent reputation as one of the South West’s largest independent homebuilders and I very much look forward to building on the foundations of its success which were established back in 1923 in Torquay.

“However, there are significant challenges to overcome. Even with the new government’s pledge to deliver many hundreds of thousands of new homes over the next five years, we still face many complex hurdles including nutrient neutrality issues – especially here in the South West, ever-more stringent environmental and safety regulations and an under-resourced planning system, to name but a few.

“The rate of house sales has also been impacted by higher interest rates, and the end of schemes for first-time buyers such as Help to Buy.”

Cavanna Group Chairman Keith Miller said: “I have known Paul for many years through the industry network and have been struck, not only by his exceptional track-record but his reputation, positivity and personality. There are still challenges to face in the South West homebuilding industry, as there are nationally, but I have no doubt Paul will have the team and the family shareholders firmly behind him on this next exciting chapter of growth for one of Torbay’s greatest business successes.”