Sir Lawrence Arthur Barratt (14 November 1927 – 19 December 2012) was the founder of

Barratt Developments Barratt Developments plc is one of the largest residential property development companies in the United Kingdom operating across England, Wales and Scotland. It was founded in 1958 as Greensitt Bros., but control was later assumed by Sir ...

, one of the largest housebuilders in the United Kingdom.

Career

Brought up in the North East 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 Darras Hall is an upland housing estate located in the village of Ponteland. It is on the southwestern outskirts of the village, northwest of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is generally regarded as the most expensive and exclusive place to live in the ...

. Lawrie Barratt established

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 lived in

Corbridge Corbridge is a village in Northumberland, England, west of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle and east of Hexham. Villages nearby include Halton, Northumberland, Halton, Acomb, Northumberland, Acomb, Aydon and Sandhoe. Etymology Corbridge was kno ...

. In retirement he remained Life President and a significant shareholder in the Company. He died on 19 December 2012 aged 85. He was knighted in the 1982 New Years Honours List.

References

1927 births 2012 deaths British chief executives Businesspeople awarded knighthoods People from Corbridge Knights Bachelor Barratt Developments people {{UK-business-bio-1920s-stub