Pat Ritchie appointed as interim Homes England Chair
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-02)

Pat Ritchie CBE has been appointed as interim Chair of Homes England today.

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, Matthew Pennycook 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, Matthew Pennycook, 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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-england-chairs-letter/homes-england-chairs-letter).