<p>Colin Lewis, ceo of Avant Homes, is to set to retire from his post on April 30 2021.</p> <p><span>Lewis joined the business, operating in Northern England, the Midlands and Scotland, in 2010. Avant said that during his tenure the company had been “transformed”, now playing a key part in addressing the UK’s housing shortage.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>After stepping down, Lewis will become non-executive </span><span>deputy</span><span> chairman of the business for one year. As part of the company’s succession plan introduced in 2019, Mark Mitchell, currently chief operating officer, will be Lewis’ successor, taking the reins on May 1.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Mitchell joined Avant in 2001 as a trainee quantity surveyor, taking various posts through the business including regional md of the Yorkshire region and group operations officer. He became chief operating officer in 2018.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Scott Varley will step into Mitchell’s post from May 1. Joining the business in 2006, Varley has also held several posts while rising through the ranks of Avant. He was regional md in the North East of England and Scotland and more recently divisional md of those regions </span><span>as well as the Midlands</span><span>.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Paul Bridges, Avant’s chairman, said: “Colin has been an outstanding chief executive officer and, in leading Avant, has …