| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home building |
| Founded | 1934 (1934) |
| Defunct | 1985 (1985) |
| Fate | Acquired |
| Successor | Beazer |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | William Leech (Chairman and founder) |
William Leech plc was a Britishhousebuilding company based inTyneside. The company operated from 1934 until it was acquired in 1985.
The company was established by William Leech, a former window cleaner in 1934[1] asWilliam Leech (Builders) Ltd.[2] It bought very large landholdings in theCramlington area[3] and was first listed on theLondon Stock Exchange in 1976 when its name was changed toWilliam Leech plc.[2] It achieved an output of 2,500 units in 1979.[4] It announced a merger withBellway in 1981 but this was called off within days: "the lifestyle of the two firms looked pretty incompatible".[5]
The company was then acquired byBeazer in 1985.[2] The company retained its brand and Newcastle head office until Beazer itself was acquired byPersimmon in 2001, following which both brands were phased out.[6] The Leech Homes name was revived by Persimmon in 2005 as a brand aimed at housing for the over-55s.[7] As of 2025, it remains registered withCompanies House as a dormant company, still in the ownership of Persimmon plc.[8]
