New roles created to tailor national housing and regeneration programmes for local priorities

Homes England have appointed five new executive regional leaders to strengthen collaboration and boost tailored housing and regeneration delivery across the country.

It is the latest step in mobilising the Government housing and regeneration agency’s new strategic plan and new regional operating model, which will come into effect in April 2026.

The move is designed to strengthen collaboration with Mayors, local leaders and partners to enable tailored solutions for housing and regeneration that reflect local priorities.

Each executive director brings extensive experience in housing, regeneration and place-making.

The appointments, made following an open competition interview process, are as follows:

• Danielle Gillespie as Executive Regional Director for the North West. Danielle is currently Director of Regeneration, Partnerships and Major Projects at Homes England.

• Tom Bridges as Executive Regional Director for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber. Tom joins the Agency from Arup, where he is a Director and UK Government Business Leader.

• Jo Nugent as Executive Regional Director for the Midlands. Jo is currently Acting Executive Director of Markets, Partners and Places at Homes England.

• Vicky Savage as Executive Regional Director for London and East. Vicky joins the Agency from the London Borough of Camden.

• Kate McBride as Executive Regional Director for the South. Kate is currently Regional Development Director for the South at Home England.

The executive directors will own their respective region’s development pipeline and sub-regional programmes, from large-scale placemaking and growth partnerships to affordable housing initiatives.

The teams will also draw from a nationally managed technical hub, ensuring extra specialist expertise can be deployed flexibly to the regions when needed.

Amy Rees CB, Chief Executive of Homes England, said: “I am delighted that positive momentum continues at pace towards delivering our regional operating model for April 2026 – alongside major national programmes including the National Housing Bank (NHB), National Housing Delivery Fund (NHDF) and Social and Affordable Housing Programme.

“I would like to thank existing colleagues for their continued dedication and welcome our new executive directors to the team.

“Collaboration is vital to creating the new homes and thriving places that communities want and need. This is not a hollow statement; I stand by these words with absolute conviction and commitment. I want Homes England to be in full step with regional leaders and partners to deliver a shared endeavour of more homes, regenerated communities and local economic growth across England.”