Greg Fitzgerald has told the Vistry board that he intends to retire from the company.
His tenure as chair will end at the company鈥檚 AGM on 13th May 2026 but he will continue as chief executive for up to 12 months, or until a successor is appointed. The search for a new CEO has already begun.
Greg Fitzgerald came to prominence in the construction industry as the founder of Midas Homes, which was acquired by Galliford in 1997. When Galliford Tr (as it was by then) also bought Fitzgerald鈥檚 next house-building venture two years later, they brought him in to head the house-building division. He was chief executive of Galliford Try from 2005 to 2015, and oversaw the 拢244m acquisition of Linden Homes in 2007.
He joined Bovis Homes as chief executive in April 2017 when the business was in a mess. In January 2020 he completed the 拢1.1bn acquisition of Galliford Try鈥檚 Linden Homes and Partnerships & Regeneration businesses. The merged business were brought together under the re-named Vistry Group. In January 2024 he executive chair as well as chief executive, contrary to what is generally regarded as best-practice for public companies.
Fitzgerald said: 鈥淚t has been a privilege to work with such dedicated colleagues to transform the business to become the leading provider of affordable, mixed tenure housing in the country. It is an exciting time for Vistry as it focuses on addressing the chronic affordable housing shortage. After over 45 years in the sector, it is the right time for me to retire and I am confident that Vistry will go from strength to strength well into the future.鈥�
Rob Woodward, senior independent and non-executive director of Vistry Group, said of Fitzgerald: "During his time with Vistry, he has played a pivotal role in its strategic transformation by leading the turnaround of Bovis; the acquisition of Linden Homes and the Galliford Try partnerships business to create Vistry; the acquisition of Countryside; and the strategic step to focus on partnerships. The company is now well positioned for growth and is set to play a key role in the increased supply of high-quality affordable homes in the UK. His legacy and impact across the UK housing sector cannot be understated. We look forward to continuing to work with him until his departure, driving the success of the business, and we wish him well in his forthcoming retirement."
Vistry has also posted its financial results for 2025 (year to 31st December) showing an 87% leap in pre-tax profit to 拢196m (2024: 拢105m) on revenue down 4% at 拢3,614m.
Fitzgerald turns 62 in June 2026; that he is actually going to retire seems unlikely. More likely a third act awaits.
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