Taylor Wimpey
A major United Kingdom housebuilder formed through the 2007 merger of Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Taylor Wimpey plc is one of the United Kingdom's largest residential developers. The company was created on 3 July 2007 through the merger of Taylor Woodrow plc and George Wimpey plc, combining two businesses with long histories in British construction and housebuilding. Taylor Wimpey is headquartered in High Wycombe and operates through a network of regional offices across England, Scotland and Wales. Its shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange, where the company is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The business is primarily focused on acquiring land, obtaining planning permission, designing and constructing housing developments, and selling completed homes to owner-occupiers and investors. Its portfolio generally covers mass-market and mid-market housing, including detached and semi-detached houses, terraced homes, apartments and larger planned communities. It also works with local authorities and housing associations on affordable housing and mixed-tenure developments. The company’s operations are organized regionally, allowing it to tailor house types, site layouts and delivery strategies to local planning requirements and housing demand. Taylor Wimpey inherited substantial construction and development capabilities from both predecessor groups. Taylor Woodrow began in 1921 when Frank Taylor established a housebuilding business with financial assistance from his uncle, Jack Woodrow. It later diversified into general construction, including temporary hospitals and major infrastructure-related work, while its housebuilding arm remained relatively modest until the late twentieth century. George Wimpey originated in 1880 as a stone-working partnership in Hammersmith and entered residential development with the Greenford Park Estate in 1928. It became one of Britain’s most important private housebuilders during the 1970s and expanded through acquisitions including McLean Homes, McAlpine Homes and Laing Homes. Following the merger, Taylor Wimpey progressively separated from much of its legacy construction activity. Vinci acquired the Taylor Woodrow Construction operations in 2008, and the remaining Ghanaian activities were sold to management in 2009. The group also disposed of its North American housebuilding businesses in 2011, leaving the United Kingdom as its principal operating market. The company has faced several issues common to large UK housebuilders. These include customer and leaseholder disputes concerning leasehold ground-rent clauses, building-quality and fire-safety remediation obligations, criticism concerning the redevelopment of a structurally defective building in Hackney Wick, and scrutiny by the Competition and Markets Authority over alleged information-sharing practices among housebuilders. Taylor Wimpey has also participated in consultations over the UK's future building standards and has been criticized by environmental organizations for opposing aspects of proposed low-carbon housing requirements. The company has generally stated that it supports improved standards while seeking practical implementation arrangements. Taylor Wimpey’s recent strategy has emphasized disciplined land investment, operational efficiency, construction productivity, customer service and management of building-safety liabilities. Its public identity is that of a large, mainstream residential developer rather than a luxury or specialist housebuilder. The company also engages in design, sustainability and community initiatives, including a 2016 competition with the Royal Institute of British Architects to explore the home of the future.
History
Taylor Wimpey combines the histories of Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey, two long-established British construction businesses. Taylor Woodrow was founded in 1921 by Frank Taylor, who initially borrowed money to construct two houses in Blackpool. Because Taylor was only 16 and could not establish the company independently, his uncle Jack Woodrow lent his name to the enterprise. During the 1930s, Taylor Woodrow expanded beyond housing into general construction and temporary hospitals. Residential building remained a relatively small activity for much of the following decades; at the start of the 1980s, Taylor Woodrow Homes was constructing only several hundred houses annually. The group later expanded through acquisitions, including Bryant Group in 2001 and Wilson Connolly in 2003. George Wimpey began in 1880 as a stone-working partnership established by George Wimpey and Walter Tomes in Hammersmith. Tomes eventually left the partnership, while the Wimpey family sold the business in 1919 after George Wimpey's death. Godfrey Mitchell acquired the firm and retained the established Wimpey name. The company entered residential development with the Greenford Park Estate in 1928. During the 1970s it became Britain's largest private housebuilder by volume, and in the 1980s it strengthened the Wimpey Homes identity around relatively compact housing. Its expansion continued through acquisitions such as McLean Homes in 1996, McAlpine Homes in 2001 and Laing Homes in 2002. The two companies merged on 3 July 2007, creating Taylor Wimpey plc. The combined group initially retained a broader construction heritage, but its non-residential activities were subsequently reduced. Vinci acquired Taylor Woodrow Construction's operations in 2008, and the remaining Taylor Woodrow construction activities in Ghana were sold to management in 2009. In 2011, Taylor Wimpey's American and Canadian housebuilding operations were acquired by a property investment group backed by private-equity firms. The United Kingdom consequently became the company's central market. The post-merger company developed a regional operating model covering England, Scotland and Wales. Its core activities became land acquisition, planning, housing design, construction, sales and after-sales support. Taylor Wimpey has delivered conventional private-sale housing alongside affordable homes and mixed-tenure developments. Its scale has made it an important participant in national debates over planning, housing supply, building standards, leasehold reform and building safety. The company faced significant controversy over leasehold houses and apartments sold with ground rents that could rise sharply under contractual escalation clauses. The CMA intervened in 2021, and Taylor Wimpey subsequently committed to remove the relevant terms from affected contracts and prevent their use in new agreements. It also agreed to support changes for leaseholders whose freeholds had been sold to third parties. In 2022, the CMA stated that affected consumers should receive refunds for certain doubling ground-rent arrangements. Building safety became another major issue. Taylor Wimpey established provisions for cladding and fire-safety remediation in 2021, with later increases as inspections identified additional work. A 2022 decision to demolish a structurally defective residential block in Hackney Wick generated further criticism from residents affected by prolonged construction and demolition disruption. The company also became involved in legal disputes concerning alleged defects at developments including Victoria Wharf in Cardiff Bay and Rope Quays in Gosport. Taylor Wimpey has also been scrutinized over environmental policy. During consultations on the UK's Future Homes Standard, it opposed aspects of proposals designed to reduce emissions from new homes and questioned the practicality of replacing gas boilers with heat pumps. Environmental groups criticized its position, while the company said it supported lower-carbon construction but wanted technically and commercially workable implementation. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led Taylor Wimpey to close UK sites and sales centres temporarily. It later restarted work in phases and reported continued sales activity during the shutdown. In 2022, Jennie Daly succeeded Pete Redfern as chief executive, and Robert Noel became chair in 2023. The business has since focused on cost control, land discipline, construction delivery, customer outcomes and managing its building-safety responsibilities while continuing to operate as a major listed UK housebuilder.
- 2022
Jennie Daly becomes chief executive
[1]Jennie Daly succeeds Pete Redfern as chief executive.
- 2021
Initial building-safety provision
[1]Taylor Wimpey announces an initial £125 million provision for cladding and fire-safety remediation.
- 2020
COVID-19 site closures and restart
[1]UK sites and sales centres close during lockdown, followed by phased remobilisation.
- 2008
Construction operations are sold to Vinci
[1]Vinci acquires Taylor Woodrow Construction's operations.
- 2007
Taylor Wimpey is formed
[1]Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey merge on 3 July to create Taylor Wimpey plc.
- 1921
Taylor Woodrow is established
[1]Frank Taylor establishes Taylor, Woodrow Limited, the predecessor of Taylor Woodrow.
- 1880
George Wimpey is founded
[1]George Wimpey begins as a stone-working partnership in Hammersmith.
Products and positioning
A large-scale, mainstream UK housebuilder serving first-time buyers, families, existing homeowners, investors and affordable-housing partners.
Residential construction · 2007
Private-sale new-build homes
Taylor Wimpey's principal offering is newly built housing sold to private purchasers. Its regional businesses deliver terraced, semi-detached and detached homes as well as apartments, with layouts and specifications adapted to local planning permissions and market demand. The customer base includes first-time buyers, families and existing homeowners moving within the housing market.
Residential development · 2007
Affordable and mixed-tenure housing
The company contributes affordable homes to larger developments, working with local authorities, housing associations and other partners. These schemes can combine privately sold properties with shared-ownership, social-rent or other affordable-tenure homes, helping developments meet planning obligations and broader local housing objectives.
Urban and residential development · 2007
Masterplanned residential communities
Taylor Wimpey develops larger sites that may include multiple phases, roads, public open space, community infrastructure and a mix of house types. These projects require land assembly, planning, infrastructure coordination and long-term construction management rather than the delivery of individual homes alone.
Controversies
2024
Competition-law investigation
The CMA investigated Taylor Wimpey and other major housebuilders over suspected sharing of commercially sensitive information that might have affected site build-out and home pricing. The allegations did not establish wrongdoing by themselves.
2022
Hackney Wick structural defects and demolition
A residential block in Hackney Wick was found to have structural problems in its concrete frame. Taylor Wimpey chose demolition before reconstruction, leading nearby residents to complain about prolonged noise and disruption.
2016
Leasehold ground-rent controversy
Taylor Wimpey was criticized over leasehold homes and apartments containing ground-rent escalation clauses that could make properties harder to sell or mortgage. The CMA later required corrective action, and the company committed to removing the relevant terms and supporting affected leaseholders.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020COVID-19 community manufacturing initiative
United Kingdom
During the pandemic shutdown, the company operated a manufacturing project producing reusable 3D-printed face visors for GP surgeries and care homes.
Outcome. Provided protective equipment while normal construction and sales operations were disrupted.
- 2016Project 2020 Open Design Competition
United Kingdom
Taylor Wimpey partnered with the Royal Institute of British Architects on an open design competition exploring concepts for a future home and future residential living.
Outcome. A design-focused initiative intended to stimulate discussion about the evolution of UK housing.
- 2009St Johnstone sponsorship
Scotland
Taylor Wimpey served as the main sponsor of St Johnstone Football Club for the 2009–2011 football seasons.
Outcome. Brand visibility through Scottish football sponsorship.
Brand decisions
2023
Implement cost-saving programmeStrategyBackground
The company sought to reduce operating costs amid changing housing-market conditions.
Action taken
Taylor Wimpey consulted staff on a plan reported to target £19 million of savings and approximately 450 job reductions.
Aftermath
The programme reportedly cost £8 million to implement.
Planned cost savings. £19 million (2023 plan)
2022
Demolish defective Hackney Wick blockOtherBackground
Structural problems were discovered in the concrete frame of a new residential scheme in east London.
Action taken
Taylor Wimpey elected to demolish the block before reconstructing it.
Aftermath
The decision caused additional disruption for nearby residents, to whom the company apologized.
2021
Commit to remediate problematic leasehold ground rentsOtherBackground
The CMA found that certain doubling ground-rent terms could trap homeowners and hinder sales or mortgage financing.
Action taken
Taylor Wimpey agreed to remove the terms from affected contracts, exclude them from new contracts and facilitate changes for leases whose freeholds had been transferred to third parties.
Aftermath
The CMA described the commitment as a significant step and later stated that affected consumers should receive refunds in relevant cases.
2021
Create initial fire-safety provisionOtherBackground
Post-Grenfell building-safety requirements created potential liabilities for remediation of cladding and other fire-related defects.
Action taken
The company set aside £125 million for expected cladding and fire-safety work.
Aftermath
The provision increased as further surveys identified additional remediation requirements.
Initial fire-safety provision. £125 million (2021)
2020
Close and restart UK operations during lockdownStrategyBackground
Government restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic created health, safety and operational constraints across construction and property sales.
Action taken
Taylor Wimpey closed all UK construction sites and sales centres on 23 March and began phased remobilisation in England and Wales from 4 May.
Aftermath
Construction resumed under revised operating procedures, while the company reported that sales activity continued during the closure period.
2007
Merge Taylor Woodrow and George WimpeyM&ABackground
Two established UK construction and housebuilding groups combined to create a larger listed residential developer.
Action taken
The merger was completed on 3 July 2007 under the Taylor Wimpey name.
Aftermath
The new group subsequently concentrated increasingly on UK housebuilding and disposed of much of its legacy construction and overseas activity.
Recent events
Taylor Wimpey announces CEO Pete Redfern will step down[3]
Reported:
Taylor Wimpey said chief executive Pete Redfern would step down and continue to lead the company and remain on its board until a successor is appointed.
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland announces partnership with RNLI Queensferry[4]
Reported:
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland announced a relationship with the RNLI, including a donation of £25 for each new home sold and legally completed at Hawthorn Gardens and a total payment of £9,500 to the local RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat Station.
Taylor Wimpey rolls out supplier support scheme[5]
Reported:
Taylor Wimpey began rolling out its Pay It Forward scheme, allocating an initial £5 million for advances of up to £600 a month to eligible self-employed individuals in its supply chain, recoverable against future work.
Sources5 sources
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