HBF president Bill Gair has written a series of letters telling housebuilders they can contribute to a present by putting money into a bank account set up for the purpose or by posting him a cheque.
In one letter, Gair said: 鈥淚 have received some soundings as to how large a contribution is appropriate in the circumstances. Whilst in no way wishing to encourage profligacy, I think that an amount of between 拢250 and 拢5000 and related to the size of your company鈥檚 business would be relevant and enable us to mark Roger鈥檚 departure with something substantial.鈥�
The HBF has about 600 full members members and 200-300 associate members. It is understood that Humber鈥檚 salary while chief executive was 拢60 000-80 000. The HBF could not confirm that Humber would receive a pension.
The bank where the account is held refused to disclose the account balance, but one housebuilder suggested that the fund could hold about 拢100 000.
One leading housebuilder described the fund as outrageous. Another said: 鈥淓ven the lower figure is a top-end figure. It is fine to ask for a contribution to someone who has served, but this is ridiculous. I鈥檓 really surprised 鈥� it is out of all proportion. Going by the guidelines he should get a bloody nice present, but really, the sums are outrageous.鈥�
One housebuilder commented: 鈥淭hey鈥檒l definitely be able to get him more than a nice woolly jumper.鈥�
Gair defended the decision to ask members to contribute and said Humber had served the housebuilding industry 鈥渁bove and beyond the call of duty鈥�. He added: 鈥淥nly one individual didn鈥檛 think it was the done thing; generally, reaction has been very good.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like cricketers and footballers. If you think they have done a good job, you turn up. If you don鈥檛, then you don鈥檛 turn up. People are asking my advice [on what to contribute] and I suggested 拢250 and the top figure. There is no mandate 鈥� people just asked for advice.鈥�
Gair declined to say how much was in the fund and added that he had no idea whether it would be tax-free. He said the tax status of the fund was a matter for Humber and his tax adviser.
He added: 鈥淭he man has given 25 years鈥� service. A lot of companies would send someone with that service on a Mediterranean cruise to mark his retirement.鈥� However, one housebuilder said: 鈥淲ith donations along the lines suggested he could probably buy a Mediterranean island.鈥�
