The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has announced the appointment of Jonathan Walters as its next chief executive.
Walters has held several roles at RSH and its predecessor organisations, including deputy chief executive and director of strategy. He will take up his new position from the start of May.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “I would like to thank Fiona MacGregor for her years of leadership in driving up the quality of social homes and holding social landlords to account. I warmly welcome Jonathan Walters and I know his invaluable expertise will help us deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation and ensure social landlords are providing safe, decent and high-quality homes.”
Bernadette Conroy, chair of RSH, said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State has approved the appointment of Jonathan Walters as chief executive. This comes at a crucial time for the social housing sector as, against a backdrop of global uncertainty, the country needs a step change in the delivery of new homes and an improvement in the quality of existing homes and services.
“Jonathan’s many years of experience mean that he is well placed to lead RSH as it changes to further develop its role at the centre of the social housing sector.
Walters commented: “Having more and better social homes is vital for people and the wider economy. Regulation is central to making that happen, driving landlords to improve their homes and services and building as many high-quality social homes as they can.
“I also want to see new models and new ideas coming forward that will ensure the delivery of high-quality social homes from landlords that have a long-term sustainable commitment to social housing in England.
“The social housing sector continues to face economic challenges. It will need to change and develop and so will RSH if it is going to play a full role in this exciting agenda. I look forward to leading the regulator to take on these challenges.”
