Making an ambitious choice to decentralise its operations and close the gap between local delivery and national strategy, Homes England has announced the appointment of five high-caliber leaders to its new executive regional roster. These appointments mark a fundamental shift in the Agency’s strategy, moving towards a regional operating model set to go live in April 2026.
The restructuring is designed to empower local mayors and leaders by providing them with direct access to Homes England’s vast resources, tailored specifically to the unique socio-economic needs of their respective regions. By March 2026, these new directors will take ownership of regional development pipelines, overseeing everything from massive placemaking projects to niche affordable housing initiatives.
The selection process was a rigorous, open-competition interview cycle aimed at securing experts with deep-rooted experience in regeneration and strategic placemaking.
Region Executive Regional Director Previous Experience / Background North West Danielle Gillespie Current Director of Regeneration & Partnerships at Homes England; Advisor to the New Towns Taskforce. North East, Yorkshire & Humber Tom Bridges Former Director and UK Government Business Leader at Arup; ex-Chief Officer for Economy at Leeds City Council. Midlands Jo Nugent Acting Executive Director of Markets, Partners and Places; over 20 years in planning and development. London and East Vicky Savage Joins from London Borough of Camden; previously Executive Director of Development at L&Q. South Kate McBride Current Regional Development Director for the South; 25+ years experience in large-scale residential projects.
These leaders will act as the primary interface for local authorities, ensuring that the Agency’s national programs—such as the Social and Affordable Housing Programme—are deployed with local nuances in mind.
This leadership overhaul is not an isolated event. It is a core component of the Homes England Strategic Plan (2025–2035) and the accompanying Investment Roadmap, both of which were published in December 2025. The Agency has set an ambitious target to support the delivery of 1.5 million new homes over the current parliament, effectively aiming to double annual housing completions to over 80,000 by 2029/30.
One of the most significant tools at the disposal of the new regional directors will be the National Housing Bank, a publicly owned subsidiary of Homes England.
- Financial capacity: Backed by £16 billion in initial capacity, plus £6 billion of existing finance.
- Leverage: Designed to attract an additional £53 billion in private institutional investment.
- Flexibility: The NHB will offer low-interest loans, equity investments, and guarantees to unlock complex sites that traditional lenders often avoid.
The new model seeks to dismantle the “one-size-fits-all” approach that has historically slowed down major developments. By creating a Nationally Managed Technical Hub, Homes England will allow regional teams to “pull in” specialist technical expertise—such as master planning, infrastructure engineering, or environmental sustainability—only when specific local projects require it.
Pat Ritchie CBE, Chair of Homes England, highlighted the importance of this synergy:
“Executive regional directors will bring the full breadth of the Agency’s offer… to partners and ensure support is tailored to local needs. This approach positions us to plan confidently for the long term and deepen relationships with Mayors and local leaders.”
Amy Rees CB, Chief Executive of Homes England, added that this momentum is vital for the launch of the National Housing Delivery Fund (NHDF), which will be fully operational by April 2026 to complement the NHB’s investment.
The industry can expect a flurry of activity as the Agency transitions to this new model:
- January 2026: Ramping up pipelines for the National Housing Delivery Fund.
- February 2026: Bidding opens for the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
- March 2026: Directors take up their new roles; formal launch of the National Housing Bank.
- April 2026: Full implementation of the Regional Operating Model.
With 10 Strategic Place Partnerships (SPPs) already established—most recently with the East Midlands Combined County Authority—Homes England is proving that its commitment to local leadership is more than just rhetoric. These partnerships formalise joint working on “high-impact” sites, such as the transformation of the Broad Marsh site in Nottingham and York Central.
For developers and housing associations, this means a more streamlined, predictable, and supportive environment. The regional directors will hold the “keys” to both land and capital, acting as a single point of accountability for growth in their territories.
The appointment of these five directors is a clear signal that the UK government is serious about “leveling up” through bricks and mortar. By combining national financial might with regional expert leadership, Homes England is betting that the path to 1.5 million homes is paved with local collaboration rather than central mandates.
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