Interim Homes England chair announced

Pat Ritchie CBE has been appointed as interim chair of Homes England, as confirmed by the deputy prime minister.

Pat Ritchie has been chair of the Government Property Agency since 2020 and currently sits on the Homes England Board. Previously, she was chief executive of both Newcastle City Council and the Home and Communities Agency.

She will be replacing the current chair of Homes England, Peter Freedom, who is to leave his positive at the end of April after four years to focus his attention on his role as chair of the Cambridge Growth Company.

Ms Ritchie’s interim position is expected to last up to 18 months, while providing stability and drive to Homes England as it continues to deliver the government’s ambitious challenge of delivering housing up and down the country

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.”