Galliford Try has appointed the former chief executive of David Wilson Homes divisional managing director of housebuilding in the South-west and Midlands

Greg Locke (pictured) became chief executive of David Wilson in 2006, but left following the £2.2bn purchase of parent company Wilson Bowden by Barratt in 2007.

Galliford Try said the appointment was an important part of its plan to expand its housebuilding division by 25% in 2010. Locke will join on 1 July.

Known to be an ally of Steve Morgan, the executive chairman of Redrow Homes, Locke spent 10 years at Redrow before joining David Wilson, and worked again with Morgan as chief executive of his Bridgemere property vehicle in 2008.

Galliford Try confirmed it was on target to increase housebuilding output to 3,500 units a year by 2013.