<p>Modular housebuilder ilke Homes has appointed Stephen Stone, Crest Nicholson’s former ceo, to its board to “help power” the company’s growth.</p> <p><span>ilke said that Stone, who was with Crest for 13 years, had been taken on to help secure more investor partnerships for the business. It added that the former Crest boss wished to help councils, housing associations and pension funds “embrace more sustainable construction techniques”. </span></p> <p><span>During his time with Crest, </span><span>Stone had made </span><span>“notable predictions about the future skills crisis we are now seeing” and had commented on the need for the housing sector to modernise, ilke said.</span></p> <p><span>As ceo of Crest and latterly chairman, Stone led the housebuilder’s IPO listing in 2013. </span></p> <p>He joins the Yorkshire-based ilke following what the business said was a successful year of growth. ilke now has a development-led pipeline of more than 1,000 homes. And Stone is set to help it “push the pedal down on growth”.</p> <p>The modular company has recently secured deals with The Guinness Partnership and East Midlands Housing Group. Late last year it agreed a £31 million partnership with institutional investor Man Group for a 14.6 acre site in Grantham with consent for 227 homes.</p> <p>It also …