David Thomas (pictured) the Chief Executive at Barratt Developments PLC, has been appointed as the inaugural chair of the Future Homes Hub. The Future Homes Hub is a new and independent organisation bringing the homebuilding industry together, to accelerate and deliver an effective transition to building high-quality zero carbon and sustainable homes at scale.
On taking up the role as Chairman of the Future Homes Hub Board, David said: "The Hub has a pivotal role to play in building a sustainable future, and housing will be the 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 new 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 developing 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, housebuilders large and small and government, will have to work collectively. I am delighted to become the chair of the Future Homes Hub at this critical time, to help bring industry and government together as we work towards building a sustainable future."
The Hub was set up in November 2021 by the housebuilding industry in collaboration with the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Businesses Enterprise and Industrial Strategy and Homes England to build the partnerships needed to meet environmental goals. The purpose of the Hub is to deliver the Future Homes Delivery Plan, first published in July 2021, which sets out the sector's climate and environmental roadmap.
Ed Lockhart, CEO of the Hub, said: "There are over 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.
"Over forty homebuilders who deliver most of the country's homes - ranging from major homebuilders to pioneering SMEs – have joined the Hub so far, with more quickly coming on board. Along with organisations representing partner sectors, they are committed to working together on the roadmap to achieve the change required as seamlessly as possible."
The purpose of the Future Homes Hub is to facilitate collaboration across the new homes sector to meet climate and environmental goals, in line with the Future Homes Delivery Plan which was put together by the Future Homes Task Force.
Source: www.futurehomes.org.uk
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