Duncan Davidson (businessman)
British businessman (1941–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Duncan Henry Davidson (29 March 1941 – 19 October 2025) was a British businessman who was the founder of Persimmon plc, one of the United Kingdom's largest housebuilding businesses. In 2018, it was reported that his wealth had risen by £32 million and he was worth £175 million.[1]
29 March 1941
Duncan Davidson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Duncan Henry Davidson 29 March 1941 |
| Died | 19 October 2025 (aged 84) |
| Spouse |
Sarah Filmer-Wilson (m. 1965) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | Lady Rachel Pepys Colin Keppel Davidson |
| Family | Fitzalan-Howard family |
Early life and education
Davidson's mother Rachel Fitzalan-Howard, a daughter of Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk, married Brigadier Anthony Hilton Pepys in 1961.[2] Lady Rachel was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent from 1943 until 1968.[3][4] Davidson was a great-grandson of William Keppel, 7th Earl of Albemarle through his paternal grandmother Lady Theodora Keppel.[5] He was a second cousin once removed of Queen Camilla who is a great-great-granddaughter of the 7th Earl of Albermarle.[6]
Davidson was educated at Ampleforth College. He was a pageboy at the Coronation of Elizabeth II and nine years later worked as a labourer on London's Blackwall Tunnel.[7]
Career
Davidson went into the British Army in 1959 and served in the Royal Scots Greys for four years.[8] In 1963 he joined George Wimpey where he managed construction work in Iran.[9]
In 1965, he founded Ryedale Homes which he sold seven years later to Comben Homes for £1 million.[8] In 1972, he founded Persimmon plc and expanded it into one of the United Kingdom's largest housebuilding businesses.[8] He retired as Executive Chairman in 2006 but remained Life President.[8]
Personal life
Davidson married Sarah Filmer-Wilson in 1965; the couple had four daughters.[8][10]
He owned 20,000 acres (81 km2) of land in Northumberland and lived at Lilburn Tower near Wooler.[8]
Death
Davidson died on 19 October 2025, at the age of 84.[10]
