It is with the greatest sadness that Show House has learned of the sudden death of Berkeley’s founder and chairman, Tony Pidgley CBE.
“Tony Pidgley was one of the greatest of businessmen and greatest of men,” said Rupert Bates, Editorial Director of Show House. “As a journalist you’re not meant to get too close to your subjects and remain dispassionate. But that’s quite difficult when faced over 30 years with a force of nature, a man of relentless endeavour to drive the industry forward, an extraordinary drive, but equally an astonishing humanity, with huge, understated support for numerous charities.
“I am proud to have called him a friend. Housebuilding has lost one of its greatest ever. My deepest sympathies to his family and the Berkeley Group Plc he founded. Legend isn’t the half of it.”
Pidgley was born in Surrey in 1947. He was adopted from Barnardos, and famously spent his early life living in a disused railway carriage.
Pidgley left home in 1962 and founded a haulage business, which he expanded and sold to Crest Nicholson in 1968. After working for Crest Nicholson for seven years, he founded Berkeley Group Holdings which he shaped into one of the UK’s largest housebuilders.
He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2013 New Year Honours.
Rob Perrins, Chief Executive of Berkeley, said: “Tony 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. Berkeley 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. ”
Glyn Barker, Interim Chairman, added: “It has been an immense privilege to work with Tony. He created a unique company with a strong management team that has been led by Rob Perrins since 2009. Under Rob’s leadership, Tony’s values of ambition and quality will ensure the business continues to flourish.”
Our deepest sympathies go out to his family. A full tribute to Tony Pidgley will appear in the July issue of Show House magazine.
