All change at the HCA in a bid to save £2 million a year

The HCA is hoping to save £2 million a year by cutting the number of directors it has and closing one of its London offices

The measures are intended to streamline the organisation’s top structure and office accommodation, in a bid to “ensure continued effective delivery and achieve efficiency savings”. Under the structural changes, which will take effect from the end of June, Trevor Beattie, currently director of strategy, policy, performance and research will become director of place making, bringing together all of the HCA’s corporate property, regeneration and institutional finance skills, including the Thames Gateway, skills and knowledge and the Milton Keynes Partnership.

Richard Hill, currently director of investment and renewal will become director of housing growth and affordability, assuming additional responsibilities for housing growth and spatial and market intelligence.

Richard Ennis will continue as director of finance and corporate services, assuming additional responsibility for communications and the HCA’s secretariat team and Stephen Muers will report directly to chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake, as head of strategy.

The new structure takes account of recent changes at the agency including most recently John Lewis, acting director of new ventures and partnerships, who is leaving the HCA for a new post as chief executive of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation.

Chief executive of the HCA, Sir Bob Kerslake, said: “As a relatively new organisation seeking to improve and build on strong foundations, we are constantly reviewing how we work.

“In the current economic climate we are very clear that where we can make efficiency savings and achieve more for less, then we should. We have a strong regional structure and well-established local relationships and I am confident that this new top structure means we remain fit for purpose as a national agency that works locally.”

On the departure of Lewis, Sir Bob added: “I’d like to thank John for his invaluable contribution to the Agency. In particular he has shaped the Milton Keynes Partnership, and as a result he and his team have been instrumental in creating the thriving city that Milton Keynes is today. While I am extremely sorry to lose John, the chance to lead an organisation is too good an opportunity to turn down, and I wish him well for the future.”

Lewis said: “My time at the HCA, and English Partnerships before it, has been extremely rewarding, not least in providing an opportunity to deliver some high profile projects and to work with so many excellent people. Change is always exciting, so while I am sorry that I will not be playing a part in the HCA’s future, I am very much looking forward to combining my experiences to date in my new role.”

The announcement sees a reduction in the number of corporate director posts at the HCA from seven to three, in addition to the chief executive.

The HCA has also announced its intention to further reduce the number of offices inherited from the organisation’s predecessor bodies. It is to vacate its corporate office in London Victoria, moving some staff to its existing offices in Milton Keynes but will retain a corporate office in London at Maple House in Tottenham Court Road.