Regulator of Social Housing names Jonathan Walters as new CEO

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has announced the appointment of Jonathan Walters as its next chief executive.

Walters will take up the role from the start of May, moving from his current role as deputy chief executive at the organisation. He has previously worked as director of strategy. 

The appointment follows the announcement last autumn that Fiona MacGregor would step down after more than a decade at its helm. Walters was chosen through an open recruitment process.

House secretary Steve Reed thanked MacGregor for her “years of leadership in driving up the quality of social homes and holding social landlords to account”. 

““I warmly welcome Jonathan Walters and I know his invaluable expertise will help us deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation and ensure social landlords are providing safe, decent and high-quality homes,” he said.

Bernadette Conroy, chair of RSH said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State has approved the appointment of Jonathan Walters as Chief Executive.  

“Jonathan’s many years of experience mean that he is well placed to lead RSH as it changes to further develop its role at the centre of the social housing sector.”

Walters said he wanted to see “new models and new ideas coming forward that will ensure the delivery of high-quality social homes from landlords that have a long-term sustainable commitment to social housing in England”.

“The social housing sector continues to face economic challenges. It will need to change and develop and so will RSH if it is going to play a full role in this exciting agenda. I look forward to leading the regulator to take on these challenges,” he said.