<p>George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow are planning to complete a £5 billion merger by June. As Housebuilder went to press, speculation was rising that Persimmon would trump the all-share offer with a cash counter-bid for Taywood. But if the merger proceeds, it will be the biggest industry consolidation deal to date. Taylor Wimpey would build more than 31,000 homes a year – 22,000 across the UK – with annual UK sales of £6.7 billion. The combined US business would build 9,000 homes a year, with a market capitalisation of around £5 billion. The FTSE 100 £7 billion-turnover plc would hold a 92,000-plot landbank in the UK. Senior management roles are to be shared between the two firms. </p> <p>Wimpey\'s 36-year old chief executive Peter Redfern would head the group, along with chair Peter Askew of Taywood. Peter Johnson, also of Taywood, would be appointed group finance director, Wimpey\'s Ian Sutcliffe UK chief executive and Taywood\'s John Landrum north American president. Taylor Woodrow\'s shareholders would hold a 51% share and Wimpey\'s 49%. Around 5% of the combined 14,000-strong workforce it expected to be shed in the merger, as the group drives through \"overhead efficiencies, created by a larger business with a …