Argent co-founder Peter Freeman has been chosen as the new chairman of Homes England.
The decision to appoint him will be subject to a scrutiny hearing with the housing, communities and local government select committee next month.
If appointed, he will take over from interim chair Simon Dudley, who has held the role since the departure of Sir Edward Lister last August.
Lister stepped down from Homes England after three years to focus on his permanent role as chief strategic adviser to Boris Johnson.
As chairman, Freeman would be responsible for spearheading Homes England’s initiatives to deliver homes and infrastructure, including building on modern methods of construction and new partnerships to support councils.
The property veteran founded the Argent Group of companies in 1981 with his brother. Argent developed Birmingham’s 17-acre Brindleyplace regeneration scheme and is now completing the 8m sq ft, mixed-use 67-acre King’s Cross and St Pancras scheme, N1.
Freeman was chairman of the Investment Property Forum from 2007-08. He was a non-executive director of Landsec from 2002-04, a member of the Bank of England Property Forum and a member of the British Property Federation Policy Committee from 1995-2002. Last year, he was made a CBE for his services to housing and communities in London.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “As the visionary behind the revival of King’s Cross, Peter has a track record of world-class regeneration and it is this along with his drive to create places people want to live that makes him a superb candidate to support our ambitious housing agenda.”
Freeman said: “Homes England has a vital role to play in improving the lives of all those affected by the housing crisis. If appointed, and working closely with government, I believe we can, and must, deliver on the promise to provide homes to allow all to experience a better quality of life.
“The key is not only in building the necessary quantity, quality and variety of housing, but in creating homes where people can enjoy a real sense of belonging to vibrant communities.”
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