George Wimpey

George Wimpey was formed in 1880 and, based in Hammersmith, operated largely as a road surfacing contractor. The business was acquired by Godfrey Mitchell in 1919 and he developed it into the UK’s pre-eminent construction and housebuilding firm. In 2007, Wimpey merged with Taylor Woodrow to create Taylor Wimpey. Wimpey was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1934.

History

Early years

The business was founded by George Wimpey and Walter Tomes (the latter sold out in 1893) as a stone-working partnership in 1880 in Hammersmith.

The company built Hammersmith Town Hall in 1896 and went on to lay the foundations for the first "electric tramway" in London in the late 1890s. The company also built the 140-acre (0.57 km²) White City Stadium complex which included a series of pavilions and gardens for the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908 as well as an 80,000-seat Olympic stadium for the 1908 Olympic Games.

The Mitchell Era

George Wimpey died in 1913 at the age of 58. His family put the business up for sale in 1919. Godfrey Way Mitchell bought the firm and decided to retain the Wimpey name. Sir Godfrey Mitchell remained George Wimpey's executive chairman until 1973.

George Wimpey (businessman)

George Wimpey (1855–1913) was an English stonemason, builder and founder of the house building and construction company George Wimpey, which became one of the largest construction companies in the United Kingdom.

Career

George Wimpey was born at Brook Green in Hammersmith in 1855 and later lived at 84 The Grove in Hammersmith.

In 1888 he went into partnership with Walter Tomes and together they created a business which, under their leadership, constructed many buildings including Hammersmith Town Hall and the White City Stadium, venue of the 1908 Olympic Games.

In later life he became Vice President of the Marlborough Cricket Club and one of the founding shareholders of Chelsea Football Club.

He died on 10 February 1913 aged 58 and is buried in Hammersmith Cemetery.

Family

Wimpey married Anne Jane Cunningham in 1883 and they had six children.

References