Corporate Governance
Governance Structure
The Board leads and directs the Group. It sets the Group’s purpose, defines the Group’s values, sets the strategy, and monitors and assesses the Group’s culture, with the aim of securing the long-term sustainable success of the business and generating value for all of our all stakeholders.
Division of Responsibilities
There is a clear, written division of responsibilities between the Chairman and the Group Chief Executive, which is approved by the Board. The responsibilities of the Senior Independent Director are set out in a letter of appointment.
Terms of reference for the Board Committees are available on the Board Committees page or from the Company Secretary at the Company’s registered office.
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The Chairman
On appointment, Roger Devlin, Chairman, satisfied the criteria for independence specified in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. The Chairman, supported by the Company Secretary, sets the agenda for Board meetings and ensures that Board members are provided with accurate, timely and clear information. The Chairman ensures that Board meetings are a forum for open and constructive debate and that the views of all Directors are valued and considered.
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Senior Independent Director
On 1 May 2025, Annemarie Durbin, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, was appointed Senior Independent Director. In addition to her role as a Non-Executive Director, Annemarie acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and an intermediary for other Directors.
As Senior Independent Director, Annemarie leads the annual performance review of the Chairman and is also available to shareholders to raise concerns outside of the usual channels of communication.
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Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors have expertise which complements that of the Executive Directors. Between them, the Non-Executive Directors have experience in fields such as construction and engineering, property, HR, executive leadership coaching, technology, banking and finance. The collective experience of the Non-Executive Directors allows them to make valuable contributions to Board discussions, providing insight, strategic guidance, a diversity of views and constructive challenge to the Executive Directors. For further information on the skills and contribution of each Director please view the Board of Directors page.
Only Non-Executive Directors are members of the Board’s Audit & Risk, Remuneration and Nomination Committees. The Chairman regularly holds meetings with the Non-Executive Directors without the Executive Directors being present.
All Directors are required to allocate sufficient time to the Group to discharge their duties. Prior to the appointment process the Nomination Committee considers the other demands on a potential Director’s time and provides the Director with an assessment of the time commitment required of their role on the Company’s Board.
Paula Bell is currently the Chief Financial & Operations Officer of
Spirent Communications plc. Spirent announced in March 2024 that
its Board had recommended an offer to its shareholders from Keysight Technologies Inc, and Spirent’s shareholders have since voted to approve the takeover. Spirent & Keysight are currently seeking to obtain all necessary regulatory clearances to allow the deal to complete, which is currently expected to complete by the end of April 2025. On completion of that transaction, Paula intends to retire from Spirent and focus on her non-executive career. Since her appointment to Persimmon’s Board on 1 September 2024, Paula has demonstrated great commitment to her role as both a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee; the Board is therefore satisfied that Paula has sufficient time to meet her board responsibilities, in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018.The Board considers all the Non-Executive Directors to be independent.
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Company Secretary
The Board is supported by the Company Secretary to ensure the necessary policies, processes, information and resources are in place in order that the Board can function effectively and efficiently. All Directors have access to the advice of the Company Secretary and may seek external professional advice at the expense of the Company in regard to their role with the Group.
In addition to the Board and its committees, the Group’s executive-level committees play a key role in the governance of the Group:
Disclosure Committee
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Chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, the committee reviews compliance with regulations concerning the release of information to the financial markets. The Committee considers, in conjunction with the Group’s advisors, the Group’s market announcements before they are presented to the Board.
Executive Committee
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Chaired by the Group Chief Executive, the committee is a key forum where the Group’s operations, performance and strategy implementation are reported, considered and assessed.
Health, Safety & Environment Committee
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The committee is responsible for reviewing the Group’s ongoing health, safety & environmental performance; and the development, implementation and monitoring of the Group’s health, safety and environment strategy. Chaired by the Group Chief Executive, committee members include the Health, Safety & Environment Director, Regional Chairs and the Group Construction Director.
Land Committee
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The committee is responsible for assessing and approving all land acquisitions and disposals, within defined authority limits. Chaired by the Group Chief Executive, committee members include the Chief Financial Officer, the UK Managing Director, the Group Strategy & Regulatory Director, Regional Chairs and the Group Director of Land Operations.
Management Risk Committee
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Established in 2024, the committee supports the Board in the development and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework, reviews risk indicators and reviews the operational effectiveness of control activities. Chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, committee members include the Director of Internal Audit, the Chief Information Officer and the Group Sales Director.
Sustainability Committee
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Chaired by the Group Chief Executive, the committee is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of the Group’s sustainability strategy, policies and objectives.
Role of the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors sets the Group’s purpose, defines the Group’s values, sets the strategy and monitors and assesses the Group’s culture.
Role of the Board of DirectorsBoard Committees
The Board delegates certain responsibilities to standing Board Committees, each with their own primary roles and responsibilities.
Board Committeess172 Statements
View and download our, and our subsidiary companies', section 172 statements.
Subsidiary Companies' s172 Statements