Soho Housing Association, a cornerstone of the West End’s affordable housing market since the 1970s, has today announced its new CEO, Barbara Brownlee, Managing Director of development company Westminster Builds.

With 12 years’ experience in London housing, Barbara brings a wealth of local knowledge and experience to the role. As well as her tenure at Westminster Builds, a subsidiary of Westminster City Council, she was also Executive Director of Growth Planning and Housing for the council and responsible for kickstarting a ‘once in a generation’ regeneration programme at Ebury Bridge and Church Street. She also has connections across the greater London housing market, having been Director of Housing at Thurrock Council and Director of Neighbourhoods at Tower Hamlet Homes.

The appointment signposts a new chapter for Soho Housing. Supporting both its commercial and residential tenants through the pandemic’s turbulence, the housing association continues its commitment to harnessing its deep-seated local knowledge and will optimise Barbara’s extensive experience to support the West End community on its road to post-pandemic recovery. Ultimately, its aim is to safeguard a diversity of individuals and businesses in central London and ensure that local people can continue to live and work in the heart of the city.

Lesley Roberts, Chair of Soho Housing, said: “We are delighted to welcome Barbara to the Soho Housing team. With the West End becoming busier and Covid-19 restrictions easing this summer, there is a real sense of optimism in the air, so we’re thrilled to have Barbara taking the helm in September. Combine our half century of experience in Soho and Barbara’s extensive network of contacts within the London housing market, and we believe that we have the right foundations to grow and to help our residents get back on their feet in the wake of the pandemic.”

Barbara Brownlee, new CEO of Soho Housing, said: “I’m really excited to be joining Soho Housing Association at this time. It is one of the most well-established housing organisations in London and I see this as an opportunity to take Soho Housing to the next level and, at the same time, help to provide more sustainable, affordable housing in one of the most challenging areas in London. As we emerge from the pandemic, affordable housing will never be more important.”