David Thomas, chief executive at Barratt Developments, has been appointed chairman of Future Homes Hub.
Future Homes Hub is an independent organisation, founded to encourage collaboration to meet climate and environmental targets in the home building industry.
The organisation was set up in November 2021 by the housebuilding industry in collaboration with the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; and Homes England.
The Future Homes Hub proposes to deliver the Future Homes Delivery Plan, first published in July 2021, which sets out the sector’s climate and environmental roadmap, and aims to accelerate and deliver an effective transition to building high-quality, zero-carbon and sustainable homes at scale.
Thomas said: “The hub has a pivotal role to play in building a sustainable future, and housing will be one of the first sectors of the economy to make the transition as it builds zero-carbon, nature-positive homes and places. The benefits are not just environmental: energy-efficient, nature-friendly homes are places where people aspire to live and will ultimately be more affordable to run over the long term.
“However, to succeed we need to fill the gaps in the roadmap, as well as develop the practical tools, skills, and technological innovations. Crucially, we must also bring our customers with us on the journey. A smooth and effective transition to net zero cannot be achieved by individual organisations alone. The whole sector, from product manufacturers, utility companies, environmental bodies, house builders large and small, and government will have to work collectively.”
Ed Lockhart, chief executive at Future Homes Hub, said: “There are more than 2,000 homebuilders in this country that all face the same set of challenges to build zero-carbon and sustainable homes fit for the 21st century. The hub is the central place to bring together expertise and experience, working out the solutions once and sharing them across the sector.
“It is an enormous boost that David is giving his and Barratt’s backing alongside leaders from across the sector, to drive forward a new generation of high-quality sustainable homes. There is a spirit of collaboration across companies of all sizes that makes this a really exciting time to be working in the sector.”
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