The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed today that she has
appointed housing and regeneration expert, Pat Ritchie CBE, as
interim Chair of Homes England.
Current Chair of Homes England, Peter Freeman, will step down
from his position at the end of April after four years of leading
the agency to focus his attention on his role as Chair of the
Cambridge Growth Company. In helping to drive forward economic
growth and the delivery of new housing and infrastructure in
Greater Cambridge, Peter will continue to play a vital role in
supporting the government's ambitions.
Pat Ritchie brings a wide range of experience to the role of
interim Homes England Chair. She has been Chair of the Government
Property Agency since 2020 and currently sits on the Homes
England Board, where she helps oversee and implement the agency's
key priorities. She was previously Chief Executive of both
Newcastle City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.
The interim position is expected to last up to 18 months and will
provide stability and momentum to Homes England while it
continues to play a vital role in delivering this government's
housing agenda and moves to a regional and place-based operating
model to deliver successful placemaking and align with the
government's wider devolution agenda.
Housing and Planning Minister, said:
“I would like to thank Peter once again for his leadership of the
Agency over the last four years and look forward to continuing to
work with him in the years ahead to realise the full potential of
Greater Cambridge.
“I am delighted that Pat has accepted the role of
interim Chair and I am very much looking forward to working with
her in the role. Pat commands considerable respect in the sector,
brings a wealth of experience from previous roles, and is
well-placed to ensure the Agency is effectively supporting the
government's ambitious housing agenda.”
Pat Ritchie CBE said:
“I am proud to have been asked to step in as interim Homes
England Chair during this period of transformation. The agency's
great strength is its people, who are passionate about
regeneration and building strong communities, and we are focused
on driving delivery to help achieve the government's housing
ambitions.
“It is an honour to lead an organisation I have been so closely
involved with for many years. We will work tirelessly with local
leaders, housing associations, developers and investors to
deliver the homes our country needs, building on strong
foundations of place-based working and successful delivery laid
by Peter Freeman.”
Peter Freeman CBE said:
“Pat and I have worked closely with colleagues on the board,
which I've had the privilege of leading for the past four years –
she is extremely well placed to take on the role of interim
Chair at such a pivotal and exciting moment for the agency.
“Her stewardship with be invaluable to colleagues, government and
the sector during such a transformative period, which is already
well underway. I wish her the very best for the next
chapter at Homes England, along with all those working so hard to
deliver the homes and places people need across the country.”
Last year the Housing and Planning Minister, , wrote to the Homes
England Chair and set out ambitious objectives which includes
supporting the New Homes Accelerator to speed up delivery on
large housing sites, maximising the number of social rent homes
delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme, and providing
valuable expertise and advice to the New Towns Taskforce.
As the Housing Minister set out in his Homes England Chair's
letter, alongside other priorities the agency will continue to
focus on driving efficiencies and prioritising resources, as part
of ongoing efforts to support the delivery of new homes and
place-based regeneration.
Further information on the new government campaign to recruit a
permanent Chair of Homes England will be published in due course.
Further information
The Housing and Planning Minister's letter to the Chair of Homes
England setting out the government's priorities for the agency
can be read in full here.
