Nov 15 2007
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper today announced the appointment of Robert Napier as the new Chairman of national regeneration agency English Partnerships.
He will take up the post from 1 January 2008 and will chair English Partnerships until the launch of the new Homes and Communities Agency, the new agency that will deliver new homes and develop mixed, sustainable communities across England from 2009.
The agency will bring together the functions of English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation and a range of work carried out by the Department for Communities and Local Government, including delivery in the areas of decent homes, housing market renewal, housing PFI, housing growth and urban regeneration.
Yvette Cooper said: "I am very pleased that Robert has agreed to accept this very challenging role at English Partnerships during this important transition period in the lead up to the launch of the Homes and Communities Agency. He has great wealth of skills and experience, making him the right person to lead EP during this time of considerable change".
She also paid tribute to the outgoing Chair of English Partnerships, Margaret Ford, saying: "Margaret Ford has made an invaluable contribution to housing and regeneration across the country in the last five years, building English Partnerships into a successful, effective organisation. I wish her well for the future."
Commenting on the announcement of his appointment, Robert Napier said: "English Partnerships has much to deliver between now and the establishment of the Homes and Communities Agency. I look forward, as the new Chairman, to working with the English Partnerships Board, Chief Executive and the management to achieve our targets."