UPDATE 30-09-24: Having been arrested in October 2016 Alastair Baird, former managing director of Barratt’s London division was never charged. After five years, the police contacted Baird via his lawyer on 17 December 2021 to say that the case had been closed with no further action pending. It is understood no evidence could be found against him.
The regional managing director of London for Barratt has been arrested by the Metropolitan Police as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct around the awarding of contracts.
The housebuilder announced the arrests of Alastair Baird and a former Barratt London employee this morning, as part of a regulatory update.
It said there was no material adverse financial effect anticipated as a result of the investigation, which has led to Baird’s suspension.
The arrests came after the Metropolitan Police was called in by Barratt in April after an eight month internal investigation into possible misconduct in awarding and managing material and sub-contract supply contracts in London.
Barratt said that its internal investigation also led to civil legal action against a former employee dismissed in February.
The company said that a leading accounting firm had since reviewed its London tendering and procurement controls, prompting Barratt to adopt additional controls in the capital region.
Baird has been regional MD for London since 2011 and is one of the most experienced and respected residential developers in London. He joined the company as a site manager in 1987.
His profile on Barratt’s website says he has led the acquisition of land with capacity for more than 6,000 homes and a GDV of £3.7bn, as well as establishing joint ventures with L&Q, British Land and Morgan Stanley. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by any of these companies.
Barratt London employs around 650 people.
Guy Ennis, regional managing director for Southern Region will take interim responsibility for the London and Southern Regions.
