Housebuilder鈥檚 chairman was 72
Berkeley Group chairman Tony Pidgley has died. He was 72.
The FTSE 100 housebuilder announced the news in a statement to the City this afternoon.
It said: 鈥淚t is with the greatest sadness that the Company announces the sudden death of its founder and Chairman, Tony Pidgley CBE. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Sarah, and his children.鈥�
The firm鈥檚 chief executive Rob Perrins said: 鈥淭ony was a brilliant man who I have been fortunate to work closely with for 20 years. He started Berkeley by building one house and his vision grew into a FTSE 100 company. He knew he would never retire so he ensured that his culture was embedded in the Company for when this sad day came.
鈥淏erkeley and I owe Tony a huge debt. With my team I will ensure this debt is honoured by continuing to position Berkeley as the leading place-maker and ensuring it continues to be a company of which he would be proud.鈥�
Paying tribute, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: 鈥淪orry to hear of the death of Tony Pidgley. He was a colossus of the property world. A brilliant, self-made man, who built one house and turned the business into a FTSE100 company.鈥�
And one of Jenrick鈥檚 predecessors, Sajid Javid, who was housing secretary at the time of the Grenfell Tower fire three years ago, added: 鈥淎 self-made man that cared deeply for others. Will never forget he was the first housing chief to call me after the Grenfell tragedy. He helped victims and insisted on no publicity.鈥�
Homes England chairman Simo