Galliford Try CEO reduces stake in company after upbeat update

Greg Fitzgerald, the Chief Executive of Galliford Try, the FTSE 250 building group, has reduced his stake in the company by 300,000 shares just a week after announcing the group is now 'well positioned to deliver further profitable growth'. Fitzgerald, who has occupied the role of CEO since 2005, traded in the shares at 724.10p each, earnings a total of £2.17m from the transaction. In a statement made on November 9th, Fitzgerald said that while the economic outlook continued to be uncertain, both the housebuilding and construction divisions had made a good start to the financial year. The firm's housebuilding arm reported 7% growth in sales to £460m in the period from July 1st to November 8th.The company added that an encouraging autumn selling season had been maintained in recent weeks. Sales per outlet were flat at 0.51 per week during the period, compared to the year before, averaging 0.62 during the autumn selling season. However, sales prices were slightly ahead of expectations. Fitzgerald now holds 676,193 shares in the company, equal to 0.8% of the issued share capital. Top Director BuysComputacenter (CCC) Director name: Mr Greg LockAmount purchased: 28,025 @ 352.94p Value: £98,911CLS Holdings (CLI) Director name: Mr Sten A MortstedtAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 665.00p Value: £66,500Centaur Media (CAU) Director name: Mr Colin MorrisonAmount purchased: 100,000 @ 42.20p Value: £42,200Lok'n Store Group (LOK) Director name: Mr Richard HolmesAmount purchased: 27,500 @ 108.50p Value: £29,838CLS Holdings (CLI) Director name: Mr Richard TiceAmount purchased: 4,459 @ 669.00p Value: £29,831Macfarlane Group (MACF) Director name: Mr Michael (Mike) ArrowsmithAmount purchased: 100,000 @ 25.00p Value: £25,000Dialight (DIA) Director name: Mr Bill RonaldAmount purchased: 2,350 @ 1,055.00p Value: £24,792Top Director SellsGalliford Try (GFRD) Director name: Mr Greg FitzgeraldAmount sold: 300,000 @ 724.10p Value: £2,172,300M Winkworth (WINK) Director name: Mr Anthony SnareyAmount sold: 112,500 @ 85.50p Value: £96,188