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Homes England has appointedÌýfiveÌýexperienced leaders to deepen local collaboration and drive forward the Agency’s new regional operating model, which will come into effect in April 2026.Ìý

The move will strengthen collaboration with Mayors, local leaders and partners, ensuring tailored solutions for housing and regeneration that reflect local priorities. Regional teams will workÌýhand-in-handÌýwith national programmes to make it easier for partners to engage and deliver homes and places communities need.Ìý

EachÌýexecutiveÌýdirector brings extensive experience in housing,ÌýregenerationÌýand place-making. The appointments, made following an open competition interview process, are as follows:Ìý

• Danielle Gillespie asÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for theÌýNorth West. Danielle is currently Director of Regeneration, Partnerships and Major Projects at Homes England.Ìý

• Tom BridgesÌýasÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for theÌýNorth East, Yorkshire and Humber. Tom joins the Agency from Arup, where he is a Director and UK GovernmentÌýBusinessÌýLeader.Ìý

• Jo Nugent asÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for the Midlands. Jo is currently Acting Executive DirectorÌýofÌýMarkets,ÌýPartnersÌýand Places at Homes England.Ìý

• Vicky Savage asÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for London and East. Vicky joins the AgencyÌýfromÌýthe London Borough of Camden.Ìý

• Kate McBride asÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for the South. Kate is currently Regional Development Director for the South at Home England.Ìý

It isÌýanticipatedÌýtheÌýexecutiveÌýregionalÌýdirectorsÌýwillÌýtake up theirÌýnew rolesÌýfromÌýMarch 2026.ÌýThey willÌýown their respective region’s development pipeline and sub-regional programmes, from large-scale placemaking and growth partnerships to affordable housing initiatives.ÌýÌý

The teamsÌýwillÌýalso draw fromÌýa nationally managed technical hub, ensuring extra specialistÌýexpertiseÌýcan be deployed flexiblyÌýto the regionsÌýwhen needed.Ìý

The appointments represent the latest milestone for the Agency as it continues swift and sustained progress towards enacting its new regional operating model and new Strategic Plan, which was published last week (11 December), alongside an Investment Roadmap, and has collaboration at its core.Ìý

Pat Ritchie CBE, Chair of Homes England, said:Ìý

I am encouraged by the strength of regional leadership we have secured, which will empower our teams to better connect investment and land with local priorities.ÌýÌýExecutiveÌýregionalÌýdirectors will bring the full breadth of the Agency’s offer, including our subsidiary the National Housing Bank, to partners and ensure support is tailored to local needs.ÌýÌýÌý

This approach positions us to plan confidently for the long term and deepen relationships withÌýMayors, local leaders, housing associations, and developers, building on the 10 Strategic Place Partnerships already in place. From my own experience in local government, I know that when national and local partners work together with clear, shared leadership, we achieve theÌývery bestÌýoutcomes for local people and places.

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 newÌýexecutiveÌýdirectors to the team.Ìý

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, regeneratedÌýcommunitiesÌýand local economic growth across England.

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Notes to editorsÌýÌý

• Homes England is the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, andÌýwe’reÌýhere to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.ÌýÌýWe make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers,Ìýexpertise, land,ÌýcapitalÌýand influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.ÌýÌýView our explainer animation:ÌýÌý

Biographies:

• Danielle Gillespie,ÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for theÌýNorth West.ÌýDanielle has over 20 years of development and regeneration experience and is a trusted and experienced leader at Homes England, having previously led teams at both the regional and national level.ÌýÌýIn her current role as Director of Regeneration, Partnerships and Major Projects, she has played a key role inÌýestablishingÌýand delivering the new tools and approaches needed to work in partnership with localities and unlock large-scale, transformative delivery. This including the Strategic Place Partnership model with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, the £1bn Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund, ATLAS capacity offer and as an advisor to the New Towns Taskforce.Ìý

• Tom Bridges,ÌýExecutiveÌýÌýRegionalÌýDirector for theÌýNorth East, Yorkshire and Humber.ÌýTom brings extensive experience spanning 29 years in town planning, regeneration, economic development, master planning, and transport. He joins the Agency from Arup, where he is a Director and UK Government Business Leader.ÌýFrom 2012 to 2017 he was Chief Officer Economy and Regeneration at Leeds City Council.Ìý

• Jo Nugent,ÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for the Midlands.ÌýJo has more than 20 years’ experience in planning, regeneration and development and is Acting Executive Director of Markets,ÌýPartnersÌýand Places (MPP) at Homes England.ÌýCurrently she is leading on work to operationalise the Agency’s role in devolved areas through Strategic Place Partnerships andÌýestablishingÌýits new funding programme - the National Housing Delivery Fund. Previously she was MPP Director for the Midlands.Ìý

• Vicky Savage,ÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for London and East.ÌýCurrently working in the Community Investment Programme Team at the London Borough of Camden, Vicky has a provenÌýtrack recordÌýbuilt over decades in strategic place-shaping, partnership led development andÌýregeneration,Ìý andÌýinclusive motivational leadership. Up to August 2025 she was Executive Director of Development and Sales at L&Q.Ìý

• Kate McBride,ÌýExecutiveÌýRegional Director for the South.ÌýKateÌýhas more than 25 years’Ìýexperience leading and delivering on residential-led, large-scale, high-profile, complex projects, and a provenÌýtrack recordÌýof unlocking land and delivering new homes across a wide range of markets.ÌýShe is currently Regional Development Director for the South at Homes England.Ìý

• Read the Strategic Plan 2025 – 2035:ÌýÌýStrategic PlanÌý

• Learn more about the Agency’s Strategic Place PartnershipsÌý(SPPs):ÌýÌý

• For media enquiries pleaseÌýcontact:Ìýmedia@homesengland.gov.ukÌý or 0207 874 826