Homes England picks new ceo

Homes England has appointed Amy Rees, director general of the Ministry of Justice, as its new chief executive.

Rees, who will join the government’s housing and regeneration agency on September 8, will lead its mission to tackle the housing crisis and accelerate the delivery of 1.5 million new homes during this parliament, Homes England said.

The incoming ceo has much public service experience within the UK’s criminal justice system. She recently served as interim permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, heading Whitehall’s largest department through spending review negotiations and “major operational reforms”.

Rees has also been ceo of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Homes England said she would now apply her experience of leading complex public services to her new role which will see her steer the organisation through a period of “vital” transformation, including overseeing a regionalised operating model, “designed to enhance housing outcomes across England”.

Rees will also lead the organisation as it launches the new National Housing Bank, set to realise more than £53 billion of private investment to stimulate housing delivery.

Homes England said Rees’ leadership would spark its “cultural transformation, ensure sound stewardship of public funds and strengthen …