WMCA drafts in L&G executive as interim housing director

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has drafted in an executive from investment giant Legal & General as it seeks to increase brownfield development following a devolution deal.

John Godfrey, director of levelling up at L&G, has been seconded to WMCA as interim director of housing, placemaking and regeneration until the end of December.

The WMCA, which consists of seven local authorities, will from 2026 take more control over affordable housing funding under a ‘trailblazer’ devolution deal agreed with government earlier this year.

It has also agreed a £4bn investment deal with L&G to invest in regeneration.

WMCA said Godfrey will lead on work to “unlock new brownfield sites for development, including the delivery of much-needed affordable housing.”

Previous director of housing, property and development Gareth Bradford left WMCA earlier this year to take up a role as director of Strategic Business Development at the Crown Estate,.

Under the devolution deal announced in the spring budget, WMCA will take responsibility for decisions currently taken by Homes England, such as agreeing sites, and identifying standards.

Meanwhile, WMCA member Sandwell Council was this week announced as one of the first areas, along with Hull, to agree a bespoke regeneration funding deal with government under its Levelling Up programme.

Sandwell and Hull were each awarded £20m in funding along with “bespoke support” for levelling up projects in their areas.

Sandwell’s deal included up to £11.5m to build 650 homes near transport infrastructure.