Tony Pidgley, founder and chairman of Berkeley Group, has died suddenly aged 72.
Pidgley established Berkeley Group in 1976 with the founding of Berkeley Homes in Weybridge, Surrey.
Under his guidance the company has grown into a £1.9bn-revenue business, building thousands of homes a year, and is a constituent of the FTSE 100.
Pidgley was born in 1947. He was adopted from Barnado’s and he launched his first business, a haulage and plant hire firm, after he left school at 15. He sold it around four years later, at 19, to Crest Homes, which later became Crest Nicholson, and joined the business as a building director.
He started Berkeley Homes with co-founder Jim Farrer initially as housebuilder in the Home Counties. Berkeley entered London through a joint venture with Speyhawk, later renamed St George. The group expanded through a number of joint ventures, including St James with Thames Water, and St Edwards with Prudential.
Pidgley had a reputation as a tough leader, a builder who knew a site inside out, and a character who generated huge loyalty in his closest friends and colleagues.
Over the years he also advised the UK government on topics such as regeneration and placemaking. He was awarded a CBE in 2013 for his “services to the housing sector and the community”.
Berkeley Group said in a statement: “Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Sarah, and his children.”
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, who has been made interim chairman of Berkeley, 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.”
Stephen Conway, executive chairman of Galliard Homes, described Pidgley as “a true legend of our industry” and a “good friend who loved Berkeley”.
“No man ever had a work ethic like Pidge,” he said. “Sincere condolences to his family and staff.”
Alistair Elliot, senior partner and chairman at Knight Frank, said: “Tony’s passing is both tragic and untimely. Full of energy and always on his game he will leave a massive hole in the industry. Truly one of life’s outstanding characters.
“His relationship with Knight Frank spans several decades. We will miss him enormously. Our thoughts go to Sarah and his family.”
Chris Grigg, chief executive of British Land, said: “I knew Tony Pidgley for nearly 20 years. I considered him a friend as well as a great businessman. Rightly, much will be written about Tony’s terrific legacy and his creation of an outstanding housing developer. One thing that I’d like to pay particular tribute to was his ability always to be looking to improve and to innovate. He was always looking to make Berkeley Homes and its product better and cutting edge. Berkeley Homes also became a great training ground and many from the company have gone on to forge careers elsewhere. I, like so many others, will miss him.”
Former chancellor of the exchequer Sajid Javid, said he was “a self-made man, that cared deeply for others”. Javid said: “Will never forget he was the first housing chief to call me after the Grenfell tragedy to offer support. He helped victims and insisted on no publicity.”
Jackie Sadek, chief operating officer at UK Regeneration, wrote: “I am saddened beyond belief. Tony was a great friend, and mentor, to me and UKR. We were supposed to have dinner together on the first night of lockdown. I just can’t believe I will never see him again. What a character. What a man.”
Simon Dudley, chairman at Homes England, said: “He never forgot where he came from or his ability to be a force for change and good. Tony was also a generous man. I will always remember his financial support for the War Horse Memorial in Ascot.
“Tony will be greatly missed by us all. His wisdom about the housing market will never be forgotten.”
Homes England chief executive Nick Walkley added: “Quite apart from his immense development industry achievements, Tony was always willing to share knowledge and insights. There can’t be many in the sector who didn’t grab something he said or advice he gave and use it elsewhere.”
Victoria Hills, chief executive at the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “I’ll always be grateful for the kindness and humility Tony showed me. We didn’t always agree but we had fun discussing our differences. Huge loss, but his success will continue to inspire me ad others to always try our hardest.”
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