Under-pressure housebuilder Persimmon on Tuesday said it is ready to take flak from customers as it started a consultation with 100,000 people in an attempt to rebuild its reputation.
Persimmon customers, existing and former employees, as well as suppliers and councils will be contacted about their views on the FTSE 100 company.
Respondents will be probed on several areas, including customer care, quality, snagging issues, governance and advertising.
The move is part of new boss Dave Jenkinson’s bid to boost the firm’s reputation following a turbulent period. It has suffered from complaints about construction quality, and former chief executive Jeff Fairburn left after a backlash over his £75 million bonus.
Stephanie Barwise QC of Atkin Chambers is leading the independent review handling the consultation. She told the Standard: “We are braced for some negative feedback. I think Persimmon will be the first to recognise there have been things that haven’t gone well.”
Barwise said: "We want to hear from as many stakeholders as possible to give us the clearest picture for our review. I look forward to receiving extensive feedback to inform our findings.”
There will be tick-box questionnaires, room for written feedback and follow-up interviews.
Barwise, working with law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and former McCarthy & Stone boss Clive Fenton on the review, will present Persimmon’s board with findings and recommendations before the end of the year.
Roger Devlin, Persimmon’s chairman, said the consultation was a “vital step”.
