NHF boss Kate Henderson among eight sector leaders appointed to New Towns Taskforce

Eight sector experts, including National Housing Federation chief execuitve Kate Henderson, have been appointed to join the New Towns Taskforce to help develop the new Labour government’s plans for a major housebuilding programme.

The group join Michael Lyons and Kate Barker, who were announced as chair and deputy chair when the taskforce was launched in July.

New appointees include Bill Hughes, head of real assets and co-head of private markets at Legal & General, Cambridge University economist Diane Coyle, and Eamonn Boylan, interim chief executive of Manchester City Council and chair of Stockport’s Mayoral Development Corporation.

Helen Gordon, chief executive of residential landlord Grainger, is also included in the group, as well as National Housing Federation chief Kate Henderson, and former housing minister Nick Raynsford.

Sowmya Parthasarathy, architect and urban designer at Arup, and town planner Wei Yang complete the eight.

The group held their first meeting earlier this week in Milton Keynes, one of the most famous post-war new towns.

They were joined by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, who said: “Today marks a momentous step in our journey to deliver the next generation of new towns and transform the lives of millions of working people in every part of the country.   

“We want to see new communities with real character –providing genuinely affordable, safe and secure homes, much-needed infrastructure and well-paying jobs. 

“With a strong team of experts standing by his side, I have every confidence in Sir Michael’s leadership and his Taskforce is working at pace to make sure our long-term ambition becomes a reality.”

The meeting also confirmed working arrangements for the taskforce, which will report back to Rayner on a monthly basis.

The taskforce will report back on potential locations for new towns to ministers next year.