Leadership changes at Homes England
Chair Peter Freeman and chief executive Peter Denton are stepping down from their roles after four years leading the agency together, with Eamonn Boylan announced as interim chief executive.
Boylan will succeed Denton on 15 January, while Freeman will hand over to his successor when the recruitment of a new chairperson is completed later next year.
Boylan brings more than 42 years of experience in public sector roles, including chief executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, chief executive of Stockport Council, and deputy chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (a predecessor of Homes England), amongst many others.
On leaving his role, Denton said: “Our work together at the agency as “the Peters” has reflected a period of intense activity and achievement for the agency.
“We successfully navigated the transition to being a fully-fledged and empowered housing and regeneration agency delivering strongly, especially in affordable housing, and initiating many catalytic regeneration projects throughout the country.”
Freeman said: “The agency has a vital role managing many of the government’s interventions to accelerate housing and regeneration across the country by supporting our partners in local government, affordable housing and housebuilding.
“It has been a privilege chairing the organisation since 2020 and working closely with our partners and incredible staff operating from offices across the country.
“Under Peter Denton’s leadership, despite economic headwinds, the agency has met its targets and increasingly demonstrated its pivot back to a place-based organisation.
“I look forward to continuing to lead the agency until my successor is appointed, and will then focus my attentions on my role as chair of the Cambridge Growth Company.”
Matthew Pennycook, the housing and planning minister said: “On behalf of the government, I would like to thank Peter Freeman and Peter Denton for their leadership of the agency over recent years.
“Their efforts have been integral to reshaping Homes England into an effective national housing and regeneration agency that is increasingly focused on exemplary place-based regeneration and placemaking, as well as new housing supply.
“I wish both Peters all the best in their future endeavours. We will shortly begin the process of recruiting their successors, with the search for a new chair starting next week and an interim CEO will be confirmed shortly.”
The new chair and interim chief executive will be working at pace to implement the priorities set out in the recent letter from the housing minister, with a strong focus on boosting growth through the delivery of new housing supply and place-based regeneration.
