Barratt names Bob Lawson as non-exec chairman

UK housebuilder Barratt has appointed Bob Lawson as its new non-executive chairman.

Lawson, the chairman of recruitment company Hays, will replace Charles Toner, who will retire at the end of June after six years in the job.

Lawson said: “I am delighted to be joining the Barratt board and looking forward to working with Mark Clare and the management team. Barratt has established an outstanding reputation as a housebuilder and this is due in no small part to Charles' leadership over the last six years.”

One City source described Lawson as “amiable” while another said he might not be hard-nosed enough to impose the changes that were needed at Barratt.

He was previously chief executive of electronics supplier Electrocomponents.