CIH policy director James Prestwich departs

News24.10.248.00 AM by James Riding

James Prestwich, executive director of policy, communications and external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), has left the housing body.

James Prestwich joined the CIH in 2020 from the National Housing Federation (picture: CIH)

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James Prestwich has stepped down as executive director of policy at the CIH #UKhousing

Mr Prestwich told Inside Housing that he had recently finished at the CIH and that it was the right time for both him and the institute to move on. He added that he was taking some time to decide what to do next.

Gavin Smart, chief executive of the CIH, said: “James has worked for CIH for four-and-a-half years leading our policy, practice and external affairs work across the UK. We are very grateful for James’ contribution during that time and wish him the very best for his future career.”

Mr Prestwich joined the CIH in 2020 from the National Housing Federation, where he was head of policy. He was previously a senior policy advisor at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, where he worked in the affordable housing team on areas including social housing regulation, Homes England and the Right to Buy.

He began his career as a housing officer at North Shropshire District Council, before becoming area manager at The Wrekin Housing Group and later head of housing at Hightown Housing Association.

He has a master’s degree in social housing from Birmingham City University and is currently a non-executive director at Cambridge-based housing association CHS Group.

Earlier this week, Elly Hoult, the new president of the CIH, launched a campaign encouraging people to choose housing as a career.

Her presidential campaign, called Choose Housing, will run throughout her time in office and will raise awareness of career opportunities in the housing sector.

She said: “While many of us ‘fell into housing’, choosing a career in housing is about celebrating our profession, highlighting the incredible opportunities it offers working with residents, and using our collective voice to inspire the next generation of housing professionals to choose housing.”