The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has appointed Neil Jefferson as its new chief executive.
Jefferson will take up the role on 1 July, stepping up from his current position as HBF managing director.
The chief executive function had been performed by Stewart Basely, HBF executive chairman, since 2006. He will now step back and take on the role of chairman.
Jefferson served as HBF managing director since early 2020. Before then, he had a 20-year career with the National House Building Council, rising to the position of chief operating officer.
Jefferson said: “I am looking forward to the challenges ahead as we look to navigate the many complex issues we face and support HBF members to deliver the homes the country needs.”
The HBF said his new appointment was part of a long-planned succession process that included the promotion of David O’Leary and Steve Turner to executive director positions last year.
Since October 2021, Jefferson has also held a position of non-executive director at Future Homes Hub, an organisation that brings together the new homes sector with ways to address climate and environmental challenges.
Basely said: “I have been very impressed by how Neil has helped HBF navigate the many complicated issues we have faced since he joined just over four years ago.”
These issues included geopolitical events and the knock-on effects on supply chains, rising interest rates leading to a lower number of mortgage products, planning problems, labour shortages and the Covid lockdowns.
The HBF stated: “The changes will provide continuity at a senior level for HBF as it looks to begin its relationship with a new government” and overcome “barriers to delivery” of homebuilding capacity.
