Bovis Homes has started a northern division with an office in Wilmslow, Cheshire, to cover the north-west and north-east of England.
David Durling is managing director of the business, which began trading at the beginning of the year. Further initiatives are planned to expand Bovis’s regional bases in the South-east, the South-west and Midlands.

Last year Bovis increased completions from 2360 units in 2000 to 2429. The biggest jump was in the Midlands, with completions rising from 650 to 769. Other regions also increased output.

Bovis’ retirement homes output fell by 24 units to 110.

Pre-tax profit for the year ending 31 December 2001 increased 19.2% to £80m compared with 2000, while turnover rose from £305m to £359m.

The average price of a home increased £17,300 to £140,600.

Chief executive Malcolm Harris said reservations for this year were 10% ahead of the same period last year. He said: “Affordability remains good because of low interest rates and a competitive mortgage market.”

But he added: “The tragedies experienced in the USA on 11 September had a world-wide impact, the consequences of which will take time to evaluate fully.”