Galliford Try chairman designate lays foundations

published 16 June 2011

Galliford Try's chairman-designate Ian Coull has started building a stake, spending nearly £50,000 on shares in the construction firm.He took 10,000 shares at 497.75p a time.Coull, 60, who will be replacing David Calverley, 68 in the chairman's seat, is chief executive of SEGRO Europe's largest industrial real estate investment trust. He has previously been a board director of supermarket Sainsbury's and is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. In a trading update last month, Galliford said it expects full year results to be 'significantly ahead' of market estimates and remains confident in its expansion plans during the next financial year. The company said it continues to benefit from the strong southern bias of its expansion plan. "Despite the background of challenging economic conditions in both the housebuilding and construction sectors, the housing market has exceeded our expectations throughout the spring selling season," Fitzgerald said. Galliford noted that improved market conditions had continued through the spring selling season, with sales rates substantially up on the first half and sales prices remaining stable. Top Director BuysGalliford Try (GFRD) Director name: Mr Ian D CoullAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 497.75p Value: £49,775EG Solutions (EGS) Director name: Mr Rodney Baker-BatesAmount purchased: 30,000 @ 71.00p Value: £21,300Top Director SellsRank Group (RNK) Director name: Mr Ian BurkeAmount sold: 175,663 @ 150.75p Value: £264,812Rank Group (RNK) Director name: Mr Paddy GallagherAmount sold: 100,322 @ 150.75p Value: £151,235