Former Beazer chief executive John Low has settled a dispute over his severance package from housebuilder Persimmon, which took over Beazer earlier this year.
Low confirmed this week that he had agreed terms with Persimmon at the end of last month, but refused to comment further. He said: "As far as I am concerned, the matter is closed." It is understood that other main board directors have agreed terms, but that at least 11 regional directors are in dispute over redundancy packages and contract offers. A source said some cases were heading for employment tribunals. The source said: "The takeover has been a much bigger task than Persimmon originally thought. Many directors are fighting Persimmon." The news comes as Persimmon disclosed that 660 Beazer staff had lost their jobs and 12 offices closed since the takeover. Persimmon refused to comment on its disputes with Beazer employees.

Persimmon said the takeover, which created the UK's largest housebuilder and landbank, had gone well and was on track to deliver annual savings of £33m. The integration cost £12m.

Duncan Davidson, chairman of Persimmon, said his firm had acted immediately to raise Beazer margins. He said: "We are certain that by applying well-tried Persimmon business principles we will achieve significant improvements in the old Beazer business."

Beazer's premium brand, Charles Church, is now operating as a separate division within Persimmon. Beazer's other operations have been incorporated into Persimmon's northern and southern divisions.

The group said turnover this year had reached £1.2bn.

The takeover has been a much bigger task than Persimmon thought

Beazer source

A Persimmon spokesperson said no decision had been made on who would buy Beazer Partnerships, Beazer's social housing and prefabrication division.

The division's managing director John Cadwallader, is leading a management buyout but other housebuilders, including Countryside Properties, are interested.

Low said he was starting to look at his options.