Barry Cummins has left his role as chief land and development officer at Homes England, in the latest senior-level change at the agency.
Staff at the agency were informed last week of his departure.
Cummins took up the role on an interim basis in December 2021. He joined Homes England as general manager for land acquisitions in September 2018 and became national development director in November 2019.
Homes England has confirmed that Cummins has been seconded to an undisclosed cross-government project.
A spokesperson for Homes England said: “We would like to extend a huge thanks to Barry for the support and personal commitment he has demonstrated over the past five years. His ability to balance commercial dynamism with pragmatic delivery, underlined by a strong commitment to sustainability, design and placemaking, has been instrumental in shaping our approach to development, and he leaves behind a brilliant, capable team to carry on this vital work. We wish him all the best in his next role.”
The news follows the departure last month of chief investment officer Harry Swales, who had been with the organisation since 2015 when it was the Homes and Communities Agency. He is understood to be taking up a role in the private sector. The spokesperson said the agency would be recruiting for both roles in due course.
A recruitment process is already under way to replace Jackie Jacob, director of affordable housing grants, who announced this month she would be retiring in December following a 32-year career with the agency and its predecessor organisations.
Homes England announced last week that Peter Freeman would be continuing in his role as chair of Homes England for a further two years. The Argent co-founder had been widely expected to stand down from the role after his three year term of office came to an end this month.
The agency hired its first chief operating officer, Kirsty Shaw, last year and in May this year published its long-awaited strategic plan for driving regeneration and housing delivery to 2028.
To send feedback, e-mail julia.cahill@eg.co.uk or tweet @EGJuliaC or @EGPropertyNews
