Although recognised primarily for his leading role in the fields of urban regeneration, land buying and marketing, he is also considered a pioneer of social housing partnership development in the inner-cities. He undertook one of the first private-public partnerships in London 25 years ago and, as CEO of Barratt, headed the nation's largest single provider of social housing. He also steered the Group to 14 years of organic growth and 'Housebuilder of the Year' status on several occasions, including 2006.

Mr Pretty was also personally named the UK's Regeneration Champion in the national Regeneration Awards in December 2006.

Since retirement from Barratt, he has remained active in the housebuilding sector, as a Director of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Chairman of the New Homes Marketing Board, a trustee of The Prince's Foundation Trust and an appeal board member of Shelter, the homelessness charity. He is also a non-executive Director of McCarthy & Stone, Britain's largest provider of private retirement housing. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He has, for many years, actively campaigned to highlight the causes of the housing shortage and the plight of first-time buyers. He contributes regularly to trade publications, is an occasional advisor to Government on housing issues and is currently co-Chair of an independent review of the planning application process in England and Wales.

He lives in South West London and has two daughters and six grand children.