Bovis Homes announced this week that it had increased pre-tax profit 14% to £132m for the year ended 31 December 2006.

The housebuilder said 2006 had been a strong year and that the fundamentals were in place for another good performance in 2007.

It said future growth was underpinned by an 11% rise in housing plots to 24,719 and a strong forward sales position, which was up 15% year on year.

Malcolm Harris, Bovis Homes’ chief executive, said: “2006 was a year of excellent progress with good growth in pre-tax profits, a high return on capital employed and strong cash management.”

Total turnover increased 15% to £597m and legal completions grew 16% to 3,123 units. Final dividend for the year increased 20% to 30p per ordinary share.

The company recently appointed David Ritchie, its former finance director, group managing director.