Lawrie Barratt
Encyclopedia
Sir Lawrence Barratt (born 1927) is the founder of Barratt Developments
, one of the largest housebuilders in the United Kingdom
.
of England
, Barratt left school at 14 and initially trained as an accountant
. 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
.
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, 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.
He retired for good in 1997 and now lives in Corbridge
.
He remains Life President and a significant shareholder in the Company.
Barratt Developments
Barratt Developments PLC is one of the largest residential property development companies in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1958 as Greensitt Bros. but control was later assumed by Sir Lawrie Barratt. It was originally based in Newcastle upon Tyne but is now located at David Wilson's former...
, one of the largest housebuilders in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Career
Brought up in the North EastNorth East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Barratt left school at 14 and initially trained as an accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
. 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
Darras Hall
Darras Hall is a housing estate that resides on the suburbs of Ponteland approximately 8 miles to the north of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It is approximately 2 miles away from Newcastle International Airport and is one of the most affluent estates in the North East of England. Some famous current and...
.
Lawrie Barratt established Barratt Developments
Barratt Developments
Barratt Developments PLC is one of the largest residential property development companies in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1958 as Greensitt Bros. but control was later assumed by Sir Lawrie Barratt. It was originally based in Newcastle upon Tyne but is now located at David Wilson's former...
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
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Knighted in 1982, 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.
He retired for good in 1997 and now lives in Corbridge
Corbridge
Corbridge is a village in Northumberland, England, situated west of Newcastle and east of Hexham. Villages in the vicinity include Halton, Acomb, Aydon and Sandhoe.-Roman fort and town:...
.
He remains Life President and a significant shareholder in the Company.