Centre for London announces it has hired Ian McDermott

Centre for London has hired Ian McDermott as its new chair.

Ian McDermott headshot

Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody and new chair of Centre for London

The thinktank, which is focused on “improving the lives of Londoners”, today announced the appointment of Peabody chief executive McDermott.

McDermott, who last week was awarded a CBE for services to social housing, has been chief executive of £1bn-turnover housing association Peabody since 2021 having previously led Catalyst before its merger into the group.

McDermott, who also currently chairs the G15 group of large London housing associations, has also worked in local government and regeneration. He is on the board of trade body the National Housing Federation.

Antonia Jennings, chief executive at Centre for London, said: ““After years of closely working with Peabody and the G15, it’s a privilege to welcome Ian as our Chair of Trustees at Centre for London.

“Peabody is a charity which has been part of London’s social fabric for more than 160 years, so appointing Ian feels like a natural extension of our work to help the capital become fairer, more affordable and more inclusive.”

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