Pickles appoints new social housing regulators

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Local Government

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles today announced the appointment of four non-executive members who will regulate the social housing sector.

Following open competition, Piers Williamson, Jane May, Richard Moriarty and Jim Coulter will join Chair-designate Julian Ashby at the Homes and Communities Agency’s new Regulation Committee.

The HCA’s committee will assume full powers and responsibilities from 1 April 2012, following abolition of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA).

Mr Pickles said: "We are committed to robust regulation of the social housing sector, and this is a strong committee which I am confident will ensure that task is delivered.

“It is right that as the Committee members establish the Regulation function at the HCA, they should focus on the economic viability, good governance and value for money of Registered Providers.

“We have chosen to appoint a highly skilled Committee while retaining the flexibility to assess and address any emerging challenges as the new Regulatory Framework is implemented."

Mr Ashby said: "I am delighted to be joined on the Committee by four such capable people.  They bring a range of expertise in their respective fields, including fresh perspectives from other areas of regulation as well as those with substantial experience in social housing.

“It includes strong financial, commercial and economic expertise which will be essential for the Committee’s core role of economic regulation. Together we will ensure effective independent regulation of social housing that is robust, transparent and commands the confidence of the sector, its lenders and other stakeholders."

The members have been appointed for a year and will receive remuneration of £11,000 per annum for up to two days per month.

Key staff will transfer from the Tenant Services Authority on 1 April, the HCA says, to ensure “continuity on ongoing casework”.

The HCA explained the committee may consist of between four and six members, in addition to the Chair. A further recruitment exercise will be run within the first year and is likely to focus on further boosting the commercial expertise available to the Committee.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF) has welcomed the announcement.

He said: "The members of the panel have a vast and diverse knowledge of social housing and regulation and are well-placed to support social landlords in delivering good quality services, homes and facilities to tenants and their families.

"We look forward to developing an effective and lasting relationship with the committee. Together, we can continue working with our members to create strong, vibrant communities."

The four appointed members of the regulation committee are:

Piers Williamson: He is Chief Executive of the Housing Finance Company, a not-for-profit organisation that raises market finance for registered providers with over nine years experience of the social housing sector. Piers has also held non-executive Board roles at the Co-operative Bank and Insurance Society.

Jane May: With recent regulatory experience as a Board member of OFWAT and the Office of Rail Regulation, Jane also has commercial experience as Customer Services Director of Thames Water.

Richard Moriarty: He is currently Director of Economic Regulation at the Civil Aviation Authority, and was previously Director of Regulation at the TSA, and has additional regulatory experience at Postcomm, Ofgem and Ofgas.

Jim Coulter: He is a current member of the TSA Board. Jim has experience in the housing sector as well as significant non-executive experience. A former chief executive of the National Housing Federation, he has also chaired Bridging Newcastle Gateshead and been a Board member of the Audit Commission and the Housing Finance Corporation.