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 and initially trained as an accountant.[2] 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.[2]

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,[3] 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.[4]

He retired for good in 1997 and lived in Corbridge.[5] In retirement he remained Life President and a significant shareholder in the Company.[6] He died on 19 December 2012[7] aged 85.

He was knighted in the 1982 New Years Honours List.[8]

References
  1. "Sir Lawrie Barratt". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 December 2012
  2. Regal Founder had a humble start U-T San Diego, 19 June 2005
  3. "Family builder moves into millionaire's row" The Guardian, 21 August 1999
  4. Sir Lawrie Barratt Building
  5. Prufrock: Peer is not going soft on Google The Times, 29 July 2007
  6. "Falling like a ton of bricks", The Observer, 15 June 2008
  7. Sir Lawrie Barratt dies Construction News, 20 December 2012
  8. "No. 48837". The London Gazette. 30 December 1981. p. 1.


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