Willmott Dixon’s housing repairs arm has secured two contracts worth £91m strengthening its hold in the Midlands. 

The deals with housing associations Orbit Heart of England and Midland Heart will see existing staff TUPE over adding to its existing team of nearly 1,000 in the Midlands, most working on Birmingham City Council housing maintenance.

Orbit Heart of England has signed the largest deal at £64m to deliver responsive repairs to homes across Stratford-upon-Avon, Rugby, Burton-on-Trent, Coventry, Hinckley and Northampton over the next eight years.

A Willmott Dixon Partnerships team will co-locate with Orbit Heart at its office in Stratford-upon-Avon, while also working from three additional regional offices in Burton, Rugby and Leicester.

The other deal with Midland Heart is worth around £27m over five years and covers service to 5,300 homes across the East and West Midlands.

It will co-locate at Midland Heart’s office in Coventry to provide the service, which has an option to be extended to 10 years.

Mick Williamson, managing director at Willmott Dixon Partnerships, said: “We will apply the same focus on quality, skills development and service levels that has enabled us to add value and bring enhanced productivity in our performance to maintain 60,000 properties for Birmingham City Council.

“This new work will also allow us to employ more apprentices, who will join over 80 we have in the business.”

Nick Melling from Orbit Heart of England said: “This is the first time that Orbit Heart of England has appointed a supplier for this length of contract.

“As well as offering value for money for our customers, Willmott Dixon will be employing local people, using local trades people and offering apprenticeships.”