<p><span>Countryside has achieved a 33% increase in completions, it said today (November 21), while announcing the retirement of group chief executive Ian Sutcliffe.</span></p> <p><span>During the year ending September 30 2019, the UK home builder and regeneration partner said its total completions rose to 5,733</span><b> </b><span>from 4,295 in FY 2018.</span></p> <p><span>The group’s adjusted operating profit rose 11% during the period to £234.4 million, with its net private reservation rate climbing slightly from 0.80 in 2018 to 0.84.</span></p> <p><span>The firm’s Housebuilding division saw a </span><span>3% rise in completions to 1,308 homes, but those for private homes dipped 2% to 841 homes.</span></p> <p><span>Private average selling prices for the division also fell 2% to £500,000 which Countryside said was in line with its focus on local owner occupiers “and reflects the softening of prices at higher price points in the south east”. Its </span><span>adjusted operating profit climbed 5% to £114.8 million.</span></p> <p><span>Housebuilding’s open sales outlets at year end increased to </span><span>30 from 2018’s 27.</span></p> <p><span>The Partnership division “grew strongly” during the period, Countryside said, benefiting from the Westleigh acquisition in 2018 and the decision to grow its regional businesses outside of the south east.</span></p> <p><span>Accordingly, completions rose 47% to 4,425 homes, with private housing …