<p>Barratt chief executive David Pretty has announced plans to retire in December, following four years at the helm and 16 years on the plc’s board of directors. Mark Clare, 48, an industry outsider, will take up the post in October, moving from Centrica’s British Gas residential energy business where he was charged with “transforming the business” in his role as md since 2002.</p> <p>Pretty, 61, told Housebuilder: “Mark Clare is very experienced and has an outstanding track record, and he will inherit a very experienced team. It’s the right time now for someone with a five to ten year view to take over.</p> <p>“I’ve achieved what I set out to do – I’ve steered the company through the choppy market and we keep moving forward. I have spent 39 years in the housebuilding industry and 27 successful years at Barratt. There have been many highlights: we have recently tied up a couple of strategic acquisitions and we are the first developer to sign contracts to receive funding direct from the Housing Corporation under its affordable housing programme.</p> <p>“Everybody has to retire sometime. But relax is not a word in my vocabulary and I’ll be looking to see what I’ll be …