Barratt Redrow
A British residential property developer and housebuilding group operating across England, Wales and Scotland.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Barratt Redrow is a British residential property development group formed through the combination of Barratt Developments and Redrow in October 2024. The group is headquartered in Coalville, Leicestershire, at offices formerly associated with David Wilson Homes, and operates primarily in England, Wales and Scotland. Its consumer-facing housebuilding brands include Barratt Homes, Barratt London, David Wilson Homes and Redrow. The group also has activities in commercial property development through Wilson Bowden Developments and in timber-frame manufacturing through Oregon Timber Frame. The business originated in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1958, when accountant Lawrie Barratt joined builder Lewis Greensitt to establish Greensitt Brothers. Barratt had previously purchased land near Newcastle and built a house himself, an experience that helped shape his interest in residential development and the affordability of homes for first-time buyers. The company became Greensitt & Barratt and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1968. After Greensitt left, the business adopted the Barratt Developments name in 1973. During the 1970s, Barratt expanded rapidly through acquisitions, including the Manchester-based Arthur Wardle and the Luton-based Janes. The company developed a national presence and became one of the largest British housebuilders. Its marketing emphasised professionally advertised starter homes, part-exchange arrangements and a highly visible brand identity. In the year ending June 1983, Barratt sold approximately 16,500 homes, making it the country's largest housebuilder at that time. The company experienced a major setback in the mid-1980s after two ITV World in Action programmes criticised aspects of its housing practices, including timber-framed construction and starter-home products. Sales fell sharply. Barratt responded with a substantial restructuring, discontinued timber-frame construction in its main product range, introduced revised house designs and shifted emphasis toward more profitable trade-up housing. The group also briefly developed an overseas presence through Barratt American in California, which was sold through a management buyout in 2004 as management refocused on the United Kingdom. The early-1990s recession placed further pressure on Barratt. Lawrie Barratt returned to active management, production was increased and the company again pursued first-time buyers. In 2007, Barratt ended a long period without a major acquisition by purchasing Wilson Bowden for approximately £2.7 billion. The transaction brought the David Wilson Homes, Ward Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments activities into the group and restored Barratt's position as Britain's largest housebuilder by scale. The global financial crisis caused a severe downturn. Barratt restructured its banking arrangements, recorded a property-related write-off of nearly £600 million and reduced its workforce by about 700 positions in 2009. It later returned to growth, formed Barratt Residential Asset Management in 2012 to manage properties on Barratt London developments, and sold that operation to FirstPort in 2019. The group also acquired Oregon Timber Frame in 2019, strengthening control over an important construction-material supply chain. Environmental and construction innovation became more prominent in the 2020s. Barratt set science-based carbon-reduction targets, committed to developing zero-carbon homes from 2030 and stated an ambition to become a net-zero business by 2040. Projects associated with its sustainability and modern-construction work have included Energy House 2.0, the Green House at BRE Innovation Park, Hanham Hall, Derwenthorpe and Kingsbrook. In February 2024, Barratt agreed to acquire Redrow in a transaction valued at approximately £2.5 billion. The Competition and Markets Authority reviewed the combination, including concerns about competition in north Shropshire, before the transaction was completed. On 7 October 2024, the enlarged group adopted the Barratt Redrow name. Management stated that integration would involve supply-chain consolidation, closure of nine divisional offices and the combination of central and support functions. Barratt Redrow remains principally a UK housebuilder, with its business exposed to housing demand, mortgage availability, planning policy, land costs, construction costs, regulation and consumer confidence.
History
Barratt Developments began in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1958 as Greensitt Brothers, founded by Lawrie Barratt and Lewis Greensitt. Barratt's initial interest in housebuilding followed his purchase and development of land near Newcastle. The business expanded from a local builder into a national housebuilder, became Greensitt & Barratt and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1968. After Greensitt's departure, it was renamed Barratt Developments in 1973. The company grew quickly during the 1970s through acquisitions, notably Arthur Wardle and Janes. Its national advertising and focus on starter homes, part-exchange and first-time buyers helped create a recognizable consumer brand. By the year ending June 1983, it had sold around 16,500 homes and was the UK's largest housebuilder. Barratt's growth was followed by criticism. Two ITV World in Action programmes in 1983 and 1984 questioned aspects of its timber-framed houses and starter-home activities. Sales subsequently declined considerably. The company undertook a broad restructuring, abandoned timber-framed construction in its principal housing range, revised its product portfolio and focused more heavily on trade-up customers. It also developed Barratt American in California during the 1980s, later selling the overseas business through a management buyout in 2004. The early-1990s recession caused another serious downturn and brought Lawrie Barratt back from retirement to lead the business. The company increased production and re-emphasised first-time buyers. During the housing expansion of the late 1990s and early 2000s, competitors consolidated, and Barratt followed in 2007 by acquiring Wilson Bowden for approximately £2.7 billion. The transaction added David Wilson Homes, Ward Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments and made Barratt the largest UK housebuilder by output. The financial crisis then produced a sharp contraction. Barratt renegotiated its financing, recorded a write-off of nearly £600 million and eliminated about 700 jobs in 2009. In the following decade it developed new partnerships and supporting businesses. Barratt Residential Asset Management was formed in 2012 to provide not-for-profit property-management services on Barratt London developments and was sold to FirstPort in 2019. Barratt also bought Oregon Timber Frame in 2019. From 2020, the group placed greater emphasis on carbon reduction, modern methods of construction and future zero-carbon housing. It set science-based targets and stated ambitions to deliver zero-carbon homes from 2030 and achieve net zero across the business by 2040. In 2024, Barratt agreed to acquire Redrow. Following regulatory review and completion, the combined company became Barratt Redrow plc on 7 October 2024. The enlarged group retained the Barratt, David Wilson and Redrow consumer brands and continued operating as a UK-focused residential developer.
- 2024
Redrow combination completed
[1]Barratt completes its acquisition of Redrow and becomes Barratt Redrow plc.
- 2020
Carbon and net-zero targets announced
[1]Barratt sets science-based reduction targets and announces ambitions for zero-carbon homes from 2030 and a net-zero business by 2040.
- 2019
Oregon Timber Frame acquired
[1]Barratt acquires a major UK timber-frame manufacturer.
- 2009
Financial restructuring after the crisis
[1]The company records a major write-off and reduces its workforce while restructuring its finances.
- 2007
Wilson Bowden acquired
[1]Barratt acquires Wilson Bowden, bringing the David Wilson Homes and related businesses into the group.
- 2004
Barratt American is sold
[1]The group's US subsidiary is sold through a management buyout as Barratt concentrates on its UK operations.
- 1983
Record annual home sales
[1]Barratt sells approximately 16,500 homes in the preceding twelve months and becomes the UK's largest housebuilder.
- 1973
Barratt Developments name adopted
[1]Following Lewis Greensitt's departure, the company is renamed Barratt Developments.
- 1968
London Stock Exchange flotation
[1]The company, then known as Greensitt & Barratt, becomes publicly listed.
- 1958
Greensitt Brothers is founded
[1]Lawrie Barratt and Lewis Greensitt establish the Newcastle-based housebuilding business that becomes Barratt Developments.
Products and positioning
A major UK volume housebuilder offering new-build homes across entry-level, family, premium and urban segments, supported by commercial-development and construction-supply activities.
Residential development
Barratt Homes
Barratt Homes is the group's principal mainstream housebuilding brand. It develops new-build houses and apartments for a broad range of buyers, including first-time purchasers, families and customers moving up the housing ladder. Developments are delivered across multiple UK regions and typically combine standardized house types with locally adapted layouts, tenure mixes and public-realm designs.
Residential development
David Wilson Homes
David Wilson Homes entered the group through the 2007 Wilson Bowden acquisition. It is positioned toward larger family homes and higher-specification regional developments than the core Barratt Homes offer, although the precise mix varies by location. The brand operates across numerous UK markets and remains one of Barratt Redrow's principal consumer-facing businesses.
Urban residential development
Barratt London
Barratt London develops housing and mixed-use residential schemes in Greater London. Its projects include apartments, houses and larger regeneration-led developments, often delivered with local authorities, housing associations or other partners. The business has also been associated with dedicated estate-management arrangements for completed London developments.
Residential development
Redrow
Redrow became part of Barratt Redrow through the 2024 acquisition. The brand is retained as a major housebuilding identity within the enlarged group and contributes residential developments across the UK, including family housing, larger planned communities and schemes incorporating affordable housing.
Commercial property development
Wilson Bowden Developments
Wilson Bowden Developments is the group's commercial-property arm. It develops UK employment, industrial and mixed commercial sites, including the Optimus Point project at Glenfield in Leicestershire. The business complements Barratt Redrow's residential land and development activities.
Construction manufacturing · 2019
Oregon Timber Frame
Oregon Timber Frame manufactures timber-frame components for housebuilding. Barratt acquired the business in 2019, adding manufacturing capacity and supply-chain control through facilities in Selkirk and Derby.
Controversies
2024
CMA information-sharing investigation
The CMA investigated Barratt and other housebuilders over alleged sharing of commercially sensitive information that could affect site build-out and new-home prices. The investigation concerned possible competition-law breaches and did not by itself establish liability.
2020
Citiscape and concrete-frame defects
During cladding-remediation work at Citiscape in Croydon, defects were found in the reinforced-concrete frame. Reviews identified similar issues at additional developments, producing substantial remediation obligations and the temporary rehousing of residents.
2019
Leasehold house sales investigation
The CMA investigated alleged mis-selling connected with leasehold houses. It closed the investigation in 2022, stating that a successful legal case was unlikely and noting that Barratt had changed its practices and no longer sold leasehold houses.
1983
World in Action criticism of timber-frame housing
An ITV World in Action programme criticised aspects of Barratt's timber-framed housing. A second programme the following year addressed starter homes. The publicity was followed by a major decline in sales and a company restructuring.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Science-based carbon reduction and zero-carbon homes programme
United Kingdom
Barratt announced science-based carbon-reduction targets, an ambition to build zero-carbon homes from 2030 and a net-zero business target for 2040. The programme was supported by experimentation with energy-efficient designs and modern construction methods.
Outcome. Long-term sustainability programme
Brand decisions
2024
Combine with RedrowM&ABackground
Barratt and Redrow sought greater scale in a UK market affected by mortgage costs, planning constraints and weaker housing demand.
Action taken
Barratt agreed to acquire Redrow for approximately £2.5 billion and completed the transaction after shareholder and competition review.
Aftermath
The enlarged group became Barratt Redrow plc and planned integration through office closures, supply-chain consolidation and combination of central functions.
Acquisition value. £2.5 billion (2024)
2020
Commit to lower-carbon constructionStrategyBackground
The housebuilding sector faced increasing pressure to reduce operational and embodied carbon.
Action taken
Barratt set science-based targets and announced ambitions for zero-carbon homes from 2030 and a net-zero business by 2040.
Aftermath
The group expanded sustainability experimentation through projects such as Energy House 2.0, Hanham Hall and Kingsbrook.
2007
Acquire Wilson BowdenM&ABackground
The UK housebuilding market was consolidating and Barratt had not made a major acquisition for almost three decades.
Action taken
Barratt acquired Wilson Bowden for approximately £2.7 billion, adding David Wilson Homes, Ward Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments.
Aftermath
The transaction restored Barratt's position as the UK's largest housebuilder by scale.
Acquisition value. £2.7 billion (2007)
Recent events
Reported
Jessica White to step down from Barratt board[5]
Barratt noted that Jessica White would step down from its board on 30 June 2021.
Reported
Barratt appoints Mike Scott as executive director and CFO[6]
Barratt Developments said it appointed Mike Scott, currently Countryside Properties' chief financial officer, as an executive director and chief financial officer. His joining date was still being finalized.
Reported
Barratt Developments North East appoints technical director[7]
Barratt Developments North East appointed Stephen Wooldridge as technical director.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
ArrivaClick launches on-demand bus service in Ebbsfleet[8]
Arriva rolled out its ArrivaClick ride-sharing bus service across Ebbsfleet Garden City. The service can be booked through an app and was launched in partnership with Redrow and Henley Camland.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Barratt and David Wilson Homes receive wildlife award[9]
Barratt and David Wilson Homes received a special award for wildlife at developments in Dorset; the article does not specify the award's name.
Reported
Redrow confirmed as eligible for £300 million Covid financing facility[10]
Redrow reported that it had been confirmed as an eligible issuer for the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility, with a £300 million issuer limit; the facility was undrawn at the time of the report.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
David Wilson Homes wins award for eco-friendly home design[11]
David Wilson Homes was awarded for designing an eco-friendly home in Essex.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Barratt North Midlands won the Best Community Initiative Award[12]
Barratt North Midlands received the Best Community Initiative Award in recognition of its concept honoring Bingham's fallen; Barratt Homes also won the Large Housebuilder of the Year Award.
Sources12 sources
- 1Barratt Redrowen.wikipedia.org
- 2Barratt Developments plc / Redrow plc merger inquirygov.uk
- 3Housebuilding companies and the sale of leasehold housesgov.uk
- 4CMA information-sharing investigationgov.uk
- 5Jessica White 将辞去 Barratt 董事会职务finanznachrichten.de
- 6Barratt 任命 Mike Scott 为执行董事兼首席财务官directorstalkinterviews.com
- 7Barratt Developments North East任命技术总监hexham-courant.co.uk
- 8ArrivaClick在埃布斯弗利特推出按需巴士服务kentonline.co.uk
- 9Barratt和David Wilson Homes获得野生动物奖项dorsetecho.co.uk
- 10Redrow获确认符合3亿英镑新冠融资机制资格directorstalkinterviews.com
- 11David Wilson Homes 因环保住宅设计获奖maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk
- 12Barratt North Midlands获最佳社区倡议奖newarkadvertiser.co.uk
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