Social housing contractor Connaught has made a strong start in 2008 with £370m of new work in January.

Mark Tincknell, Connaught’s chairman, said: “It’s an excellent start to the year. It reflects our market leading position in the large but stable social housing sector.”

Wins include a 15-year £150m deal with Raglan Housing Association in the South and Midlands and a 10-year £40m response maintenance contract with Midland Heart housing group.

Ed Wright, an analyst at Altium Securities, said Connaught could continue to increase its share in the compliance and social housing markets both organically and through bolt-on acquisitions.