Housebuilder Honey has announced the appointment of a former Avant Homes board member to the position of non-executive chairman as the company looks to commence delivery of its first development.

Gerry Loftus has more than 25 years’ experience as a senior corporate finance partner with PwC and Deloitte and holds non-executive positions with several businesses.

He served on Avant Homes’ board for a period of six years before the company was sold to its current owners in April 2021.

Honey was launched last October by former Avant Homes chief executive officer, Mark Mitchell, who worked alongside Gerry throughout his time at the company.

Honey is backed by private equity firm Alchemy Partners and its Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund IV which has £937m of fully committed capital.

The business recently submitted plans to deliver its first two schemes. These comprise a £14m development called Amber in South Normanton, Derbyshire, and a £23.5m development called Iris on Barnburgh Lane, Barnsley. Together they will provide 145 new two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Commenting on his appointment, Gerry Loftus said: “Mark has a clear vison for Honey based on delivering an excellent product for homebuyers that combines style, substance and sustainability.

“He is a highly capable operator, and I am enjoying working with him again to help firmly establish Honey as a recognised and respected housebuilding brand.”

Standard features in every Honey home include bi fold doors; individually designed fully integrated kitchens; and boutique style bathrooms with a signature free standing bath and full height tiling.

In addition, the developer’s house types will accommodate the Future Homes Standard which requires all new homes being built from 2025 onwards to produce 75-80 per cent less carbon emissions.

Honey chief executive officer, Mark Mitchell, added: “I have a huge amount of respect for Gerry having experienced at first hand the wise counsel and strategic direction he provides.

“His appointment is a key element of our controlled growth strategy, and will further enable us to quickly establish Honey within the residential development sector in the north and midlands.”