He will remain with the group until the end of October 2015 to ensure an orderly handover to David Thomas, currently finance director, who will take over his job at Britain’s biggest house builder.

Clare steered Barratt through one of the most challenging periods in the firm’s history after the financial crash in 2008 and played a key role in advising Government on how to support housing.

John Allan, chairman of Barratt said: “We are very sorry to see Mark go and he will leave a tremendous legacy.

“He has transformed the operations of the company, led a very successful land investment strategy and realigned the business around its customers.

“He has also played an important role in the wider industry in terms of shaping housing policy and addressing the longer term challenges the sector faces.”

Within weeks of joining Barratt in 2009 Thomas orchestrated a £720m rights issue that saved the firm.

He added: “In David Thomas, the board is extremely pleased to have such a strong successor in place.

“Over the last six years David has played a key role in developing the group’s strategy, driving performance and embedding the disciplined approach that has served us so well.”

Mark Clare said: “I am immensely proud of what the Barratt team has achieved, particularly the commercial transformation of the company and its reputation for quality, service and design.

“It is not something that could have been accomplished without the support of all of our employees throughout the business.”