Nick Barter Joins Future Homes Hub Board
September 4, 2025
Nick Barter Joins Future Homes Hub Board to Strengthen Collaboration on Nature-Positive Development and Land Use Policy
The Future Homes Hub is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Barter, Deputy Director for Land Use at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to its Board of Directors. Nick leads UK Government policy on the Land Use Framework, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Local Nature Recovery Strategies and aspects of planning reform to ensure nature-positive development, working closely with stakeholders across housing, planning, and environmental sectors.
The Future Homes Hub brings together leaders from across the new homes sector and its partners to coordinate action on the UK’s climate and environmental ambitions. Acting as a central forum for collaboration, the Hub works with industry, government, and the wider supply chain to agree common goals, tackle barriers to delivery, and accelerate the transition to high-quality, low-carbon, nature-rich homes and communities.
Nick has spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles at Defra, including as Deputy Director for Net Zero, overseeing strategy across agriculture, forestry, waste, and land use, and as Deputy Director for Natural Environment Strategy, leading the development and implementation of the UK’s 25 Year Environment Plan. His experience spans climate policy, biodiversity, forestry, and land use planning.
Ed Lockhart, Chief Executive of the Future Homes Hub, said:
“Nick’s leadership at the intersection of land use, nature recovery and housing policy brings a vital perspective to the Board. His experience will help us ensure that new homes are delivered in ways that enhance nature, support climate goals, and create thriving communities. We are delighted to welcome him.”
Nick Barter, Future Homes Hub Board Member, said:
“The Hub plays a unique role in aligning the housing sector with our environmental ambitions. I look forward to working with fellow Board members to ensure that Biodiversity Net Gain, nature recovery and land use policy are embedded into the future of homebuilding – delivering benefits for people, places and nature.”
By joining the Future Homes Hub Board – which brings together senior leaders from government, industry, housing, finance, sustainability and innovation – Nick will contribute his deep expertise in environmental policy and land use to help steer the sector towards nature-positive, climate-resilient development. His insight will be key to ensuring that the Hub’s work reflects both the opportunities and the practical realities of delivering high-quality, low-carbon homes across the country.
For more information about the Future Homes Hub Board and organisational structure visit: About the Future Homes Hub