Jonathan Walters Appointed Chief Executive From May

Press release

RSH announces appointment of new Chief Executive

The Regulator of Social Housing announces Jonathan Walters as its next Chief Executive

From: Regulator of Social Housing Published 21 April 2026

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has today (21 April 2026) announced the appointment of Jonathan Walters as its next Chief Executive following an open recruitment process.

Jonathan has held several roles at RSH and its predecessor organisations including Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Strategy. Jonathan will take up his appointment from the start of May.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

I would like to thank Fiona 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.
Bernadette Conroy, Chair of RSH said:

I am delighted that the Secretary of State has approved the appointment of Jonathan Walters as Chief Executive. This comes at a crucial time for the social housing sector as, against a backdrop of global uncertainty, the country needs a step change in the delivery of new homes and an improvement in the quality of existing homes and services.

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.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Fiona MacGregor on behalf of the board for the huge contribution she has made as Chief Executive, leading RSH through the expansion of its consumer remit. She leaves RSH in a good position to tackle the new challenges it faces.
Jonathan Walters said:

Having more and better social homes is vital for people and the wider economy. Regulation is central to making that happen, driving landlords to improve their homes and services and building as many high-quality social homes as they can.

I also want 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.
ENDS

Notes to editors

1. RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.
2. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk. For media enquiries please see our Media Enquiries page.

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Updates to this page

Published 21 April 2026