Before joining SHA as Chief Executive, Barbara spent 15 years working with London Borough’s and the private sector, developing and regenerating housing. Beginning in Hackney, demolishing tower blocks and replacing them with a range of affordable housing, she became convinced that development is only meaningful when coupled with a robust economic regeneration plan. She remains of this view and considers the sustainability of the built form and all the other issues which make living and working in a place healthy and enjoyable as central to her work. She has set up two LA Housing companies to deliver affordable housing outside that provided by grant and Section 106 rules. Her previous role was the City’s Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing, securing a development pipeline of 2,000 affordable homes within Westminster and two major regeneration sites at Ebury Bridge and Church Street. She is an SNG board member of and a co-director of a gallery.