New National Housing Bank strengthens oversight with appointment of non‑executive directors

Two senior leaders with extensive careers in the regeneration and investment sectors have joined the National Housing Bank Board as independent non-executive directors.

Chris Taylor and Simon Pistell will help provide strong strategic oversight and independent challenge to decision-making at the newly launched bank, a public finance institution with the authority and ambition to accelerate the delivery of new homes and communities across England.

Chris is Chair of Real Estate and a Senior Vice President at Federated Hermes Limited and Chair of MEPC, a leading UK placemaking and regeneration developer and Federated Hermes' specialist development arm. He has overseen major regeneration projects such as King's Cross (London), Paradise (Birmingham), NOMA (Manchester), Wellington Place (Leeds), Silverstone Park, and centre:mk in Milton Keynes.

Chris said:

I am delighted and honoured to take on this role. I look forward to bringing experience in managing investment risk, together with a strong belief that the built environment can deliver meaningful social and environmental benefits while supporting improved productivity. Accessible and affordable housing is central to achieving these outcomes

Simon is Risk Director at L&G. He served as Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for LGIM, the UK's largest fund manager, and for the past six years as CRO of L&G Capital, overseeing housing and regeneration businesses and with a remit including Build-to-Rent, affordable housing, Cala Homes and strategic land.

Simon said:

Accelerating the delivery of affordable homes, regenerating towns and cities, and creating thriving communities are vital to boosting economic prosperity and improving quality of life. I'm excited to take on this role and look forward to working with the exceptional teams at the National Housing Bank and Homes England to help deliver these outcomes

The board will ensure the bank delivers on its mission effectively and in the best interests of the public. Chaired by Peter Vernon, the board membership also includes UK Government Investments representative James Coppin, Homes England board member Ros Kerslake CBE, National Housing Bank CEO Simon Century, and Homes England CEO Amy Rees CB.  

A subsidiary of Homes England, the bank is powered by the Agency's expertise and aims to support the delivery of more than 500,000 homes and a raft of major regeneration and mixed-use schemes, alongside unlocking more than £53 billion of private investment over the next ten years.

Homes England Chair, Pat Ritchie CBE, said:

I am pleased to welcome such highly respected professionals to the bank as non-executive directors, bringing valuable expertise and strong independent oversight. Clear and robust leadership across both Homes England and the Bank is essential to providing the direction, challenge and scrutiny needed. This will help ensure we work cohesively and with a sharp focus on delivering the new homes and thriving places that people across the country need

National Housing Bank Chair, Peter Vernon, said:

Simon and Chris are accomplished leaders and bring to the board the right depth of knowledge, experience and skills to ensure the bank is well governed and held to account.  I am confident we are building the foundations to help guide a very talented group of professionals who, even at this early stage, are deeply engaged and delivering new investment opportunities and outcomes.

Backed by the UK government, the National Housing Bank will work with house builders, developers, investors and registered providers to deploy up to £16 billion of debt, equity and guarantees.

The bank will also work with Mayors through Homes England's new regional model to strengthen collaborative working with partners and leaders.

Notes to editorsAbout The National Housing Bank

The National Housing Bank, a Homes England company, delivers purpose-led finance for housing delivery. We aim to break down barriers to investment at scale and accelerate the delivery and regeneration of places. Over the next decade, we will invest up to £16 billion through debt, equity, and guarantee products, stepping in where the market cannot. In doing so, we aim to attract over £50 billion of private capital, enabling more homes, stronger places and thriving, sustainable communities.

Biography: Chris Taylor

Chris is Chair of Real Estate and a Senior Vice President at Federated Hermes Limited, as well as Chair of MEPC, a leading UK placemaking and regeneration developer. He has overseen major regeneration projects such as King's Cross, Paradise Birmingham, NOMA Manchester, Wellington Place Leeds, Silverstone, and central Milton Keynes. Chris joined Federated Hermes in 2010 after establishing QIC's European office and previously served as Head of European Property at HSBC. Earlier in his career at Prudential, he led the diversification of UK real estate investments into international markets.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, former senior non-executive director at NewRiver Retail Plc, member of the Bank of England Commercial Property Committee, and founding board member of INREV. A former President of the British Property Federation, Chris has actively worked with government to promote real estate's role in economic growth. A Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School, he  holds a BSc (Hons) in Land Management from Reading University.

Biography: Simon Pistell

Currently Risk Director at L&G, Simon served as Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for LGIM, the UK's largest fund manager, and for the past 6 years as CRO of L&G Capital, overseeing housing and regeneration businesses. His remit included major housing areas such as Build-to-Rent, Affordable Housing, Cala Homes and Strategic Land, together with urban regeneration, clean energy, and venture businesses. He was a key member or advisor across all relevant boards, committees, and governance structures.

Previously, Simon held senior leadership roles across multiple L&G business units, including MD L&G Retail Investments, MD L&G Bank and a fixed income fund manager. A Chartered Actuary with a Mathematics degree from Durham University, Simon has deep expertise in investment management, risk management, corporate finance, real estate and housing, and markets and economics.