Lawrie Barratt

Sir Lawrence Arthur Barratt (14 November 1927 – 19 December 2012) was the founder of Barratt Developments, one of the largest housebuilders in the United Kingdom.[1]

Career

Brought up in the North East of England, Barratt left school at 14[2] and initially trained as an accountant.[3] Frustrated at the high purchase prices of houses for first-time buyers, in 1953 Barratt decided to go ahead and build his own house in Darras Hall.[3]

Lawrie Barratt established Barratt Developments in 1958: as chairman and chief executive and by extensive marketing he expanded it to become one of the largest housebuilders in the United Kingdom. Knighted in 1982,[4] he retired from both roles in 1988 but in 1991 was called out of retirement to become chairman again and restore the fortunes of the business.[5]

He retired for good in 1997 and lived in Corbridge.[6] In retirement he remained Life President and a significant shareholder in the Company.[7] He died on 19 December 2012[8] aged 85.

References
  1. "Sir Lawrie Barratt". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 December 2012
  2. Wiki North East
  3. Regal Founder had a humble start U-T San Diego, 19 June 2005
  4. "Family builder moves into millionaire's row" The Guardian, 21 August 1999
  5. Sir Lawrie Barratt Building
  6. Prufrock: Peer is not going soft on Google The Times, 29 July 2007
  7. "Falling like a ton of bricks", The Observer, 15 June 2008
  8. Sir Lawrie Barratt dies Construction News, 20 December 2012


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