How is the  New Homes Quality Board  governed?

A management board is responsible for the operation of the New house builders Code of Practice. The original aim was that a permanent chair and board will be in place by Autumn 2020 [actual February 2021] with a view to the new code and ombudsman service being in place by early 2021. [Code of Practice 16 December 2021 ombudsman still early 2022]. It is likely that Government will ultimately legislate to improve consumer redress and the proposals being developed by the NHQB aim to complement Government reforms. Elphicke’s current board is represented by six women and six men however two do not have a vote with 5 members representing the house building industry’s interests.

Natalie Elphicke OBE

Independent chairman  (Resigned 24th November 2021)

In view of her housing expertise, Natalie was appointed by the government as the independent "New Homes Quality Champion" in summer 2019 and has overseen the strategic development and then implementation of the New Homes Quality Board and New Homes Ombudsman. Following England's defeat in the UEFA Euro 2020 Final, Elphicke was criticised for a private message in which she asked if it would be "ungenerous to suggest" that striker Marcus Rashford, campaigner for free school meals, "should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics" after the striker missed his penalty in the shootout. Elphicke was also found guilty of breaching the MP’s code of conduct by the Commons Select Committee on Standards for attempting to influence senior judges in November 2020 in her husband's sentencing appeal after his conviction for sexual assault.

Douglas Cochrane  Deputy chair - Independent

Douglas Cochrane retired from Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) in July 2020, following a 41-year career during which he held a number of senior positions. Latterly, Douglas was of Head of Housing Development where he was responsible for the Banks retail relationships with the house building and affordable housing sectors.

Alongside this, Douglas was an active member of NHBC’s Scottish Committee serving two terms on the National Council.  Douglas chaired the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), subsequently UK Finance, Scottish Mortgage Committee on two occasions and is a consultant to the Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) Group. Douglas has been leading on the development of the New Homes Quality Code.

Jackie Bennett Board member - UK Finance

Jackie Bennett OBE is a Senior Advisor at UK Finance, supporting the associations mortgage and housing work. Jackie has over 20 years’ experience in the mortgage industry, having worked in a variety of roles including Head of Policy at the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Deputy Head of Compliance at The Northview Group. Jackie will represent the mortgage industry on the Board.

Joanne Casey Board member - Mactaggart and Mickel

Joanne Casey is Managing Director at construction group Mactaggart and Mickel and Managing Director of their Homes England division. Joanne is also a Board Director at Homes for Scotland and an Honorary Vice President of the Institute for Customer Service. Joanne will represent medium sized builders on the Board.

Gillian Cooper Board member - Citizens Advice

Gillian Cooper is Head of Energy Policy at Citizen’s Advice and has been a consumer advocate in the energy sector for over 15 years. As a member of the Board, Gillian will represent consumers.

Jennie Daly Board member - Taylor Wimpey

Jennie Daly has been Director of Taylor Wimpey since 2018 and also holds the role of Group Operations Director, responsible for land, planning, design and technical, production and supply chain functions. Jennie has over 20 years’ experience in the house building industry, and will represent large PLC builders on the Board.

Katy Jordan Board member - Storey Homes

Katy Jordan is a real estate professional with over 25 years’ experience in residential developments. Currently, Katy is Managing Director of Storey Homes and has previously worked as a quantity surveyor. Katy will represent small builders on the Board.

Paul Smee Board member - BCRS & Regulator of Social Housing

Paul Smee is Chair of BCRS and Deputy Chair of the Regulator of Social Housing.

Nicholas Boys-Smith Board member - Create Streets

Nicholas Boys-Smith is the founding Director of Create Streets, a social enterprise encouraging urban homes in terraced streets, not multi-storey buildings. Alongside this, Nicholas has been appointed by the Government to establish a quango responsible for driving up housing design standards and was co-chair of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.

Steve Wood Board member - CEO NHBC

Steve Wood is CEO of NHBC (National House Building Council), having joined the Board in July 2017. Steve has worked in the insurance industry for 40 years and his previous roles include CEO of Paymentshield (part of Towergate Insurance) and UK Managing Director at Ecclesiastical Insurance. Steve will represent warranty providers on the board.

Since warranty providers are not subject to the New Homes Ombudsman it is unclear why they need to be represented on this board.

Non voting members
Barry Cummins: Homes England

Barry Cummins works for Homes England as National Development Director and will represent Homes England on the Board. Barry has over 25 years’ experience in the housing industry.

Steve Turner: Home Builders Federation

Steve Turner is Director of Communications for the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and industry-funded representative body of the home building industry in England and Wales. It ensures the industry’s nest interests are robustly represented  with a remit "to ensure that the public perception of the industry through the media, government and third parties is accurate." with protecting the interests of its house builder membership at all times.

Turner qualified as a Civil Engineer before moving into journalism and then communications. Apparently according to the NHQB website: Turner "has led on HBF’s work with regards to putting a New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) in place since 2016" Surprising, as the industry has delayed the implementation of the New Homes Ombudsman since I first suggested it at the APPG Inquiry on 23 November 2015 at every opportunity - seven years and counting!