Berkeley appoints Glyn Barker chair after death of Tony Pidgley

Berkeley has appointed Glyn Barker to be the firm's non-executive chair for up to two years while it undertakes a search for a long-term candidate in the wake of the death of founder Tony Pidgley.

In an announcement to the City, the £3bn-turnover FTSE100 housebuilder also said it was making a series of further changes to board responsibilities and board and committee composition. 

It said: "Following the sudden and tragic death of Tony Pidgley, the company’s chairman and co-founder, and the appointment on 26 June of Glyn Barker as interim chairman, the board has agreed that Glyn Barker will become non-executive chairman for a period of up to two years, while the board carries out the process of identifying a new long-term non-executive chairman."

> Tony Pidgley - a man always ahead of the game

Barker will step down as chairman of the remuneration committee and as a member of the audit committee. He will become chairman of the nomination committee but will not chair it when the position is next being considered.

Diana Brightmore-Armour will become senior independent director, succeeding Barker and will also become a member of the audit committee.

Peter Vernon will become chairman of the remuneration committee and Sir John Armitt will become a member of the nomination committee 

The changes are effective immediately. 

Berkeley founder and chair Tony Pidgley died on June 25 this year, prompting tributes from across the industry.