He succeeds Andrew Carr-Locke who will stay on at Countryside as a non-executive director, while all other main board directors including Richard and Graham Cherry and Wendy Colgrave continue in their existing roles.

Sutcliffe’s appointment follows the acquisition earlier this year of the Countryside Group by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, together with the Cherry family and management.

The resulting injection of capital will be used to strengthen Countryside Properties’ balance sheet and finance its growth strategy in the recovering housing market.

Previously Sutcliffe was UK chief executive at Taylor Wimpey. He followed this with a similar role at SEGRO, before becoming chief executive of Keepmoat.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Countryside Properties at such an exciting time in its history.

“With the recent investment I look forward to growing the existing business and enhancing its already strong reputation further. ”