The Torbay-based Cavanna Group of companies has announced the appointment of Keith Miller as Group Chairman, replacing Jeremy Cavanna who becomes a non-executive director.

The move marks the final part of a succession plan for the family business which was founded in 1923 by Jeremy Cavanna’s grandfather, PD Cavanna and PD’s brother Ray.

Whilst the business continues to be family owned and supported by a family council, all land and property operations are now managed by a professional team with Group Managing Director Grayham Tucker at the helm.

Keith, 53, who joined the company in 2017 as Group Managing Director of Cavanna Homes, transferred to the role of Deputy Chairman on the appointment of Grayham Tucker in January this year.

Keith said: “My appointment is the final piece of the jigsaw in a succession plan that began over 10 years ago.

“Over three generations and 100 years, the Cavanna family has grown a successful and respected business. They are now placing their trust in me to continue the strategic growth of the business as it enters its second century.”

Keith and three non-executive directors including Stephen Trusler, John Lougher and Jeremy Cavanna, will ensure the ongoing engagement between the business and the family – something they have placed a great focus on establishing during the role out of the succession plan.

Keith said: “It’s important that the family ethos, which has held the company in such good stead for so many decades, remains at the heart of how we conduct our operations to grow the business.”

Jeremy Cavanna said: “Keith has shown himself to be an outstanding leader over the past six years and has embraced the Cavanna family ethos which my grandparents established and grew alongside the business.” 

Group MD Grayham Tucker is already pressing ahead with the implementation of even higher standards of housebuilding across all of the company’s West Country development sites. 

He said: “We are already exceeding the sustainability standards set in the new building regulations and intend to go greener sooner by focusing our attention on the very best methods of modern construction, optimising energy-efficiency in our new homes and delivering biodiversity net gain. This is important for our customers and our shareholders, and vital for the planet.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals