Professor Nick Hopkins appointed Chair of LEASE

The Housing Minister and Secretary of State have appointed Professor Nick Hopkins as the new Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).

As Chair, Professor Hopkins will provide strategic direction for LEASE as it continues to modernise its services and support leaseholders and park home owners in understanding their rights.

He brings a wealth of experience in land and property law, following a decade as the Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law in England and Wales. This included leading the Commission’s work on residential leasehold and commonhold reform. He is currently Professor of Land Law at University College London.

Professor Hopkins has been a prominent advocate for reforming the leasehold and commonhold system. Through his work with the Law Commission, he helped develop proposals intended to give homeowners greater control over their buildings.

Professor Hopkins takes over from Martin Boyd, who has led LEASE since 2023 and provided strong leadership throughout a significant transformation and modernisation of the organisation’s services.

“I warmly congratulate Professor Nick Hopkins on his appointment as LEASE’s Chair, and I very much look forward to working with him through this critical period as we both provide leaseholders with relief and progress the reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good.

“I am extremely grateful to Martin Boyd for the service and leadership he has provided over the past three years. As a result of his considerable energy, expertise and commitment, LEASE has improved materially to the benefit of leaseholders and homeowners alike.”

“I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of LEASE at this significant period of reform of the sector. I look forward to working with LEASE’s Board and staff to support leasehold homeowners and owners of park homes in England and Wales and promote their rights. Alongside this vital work, I welcome the opportunity to help prepare current and future homeowners for the transition to commonhold as the default tenure for flat ownership so that they can fully benefit from the advantages that it will bring.”

“I am very pleased to hand on the baton of chairing LEASE to Professor Nick Hopkins at the end of my three years term. Radically transforming LEASE was my original brief. That transition is now almost complete, but it now becomes a stepping stone for Nick to take forward.

“At this critical time of legislative reform, Nick’s knowledge will help ensure consumers get the help they need. I thank all the team at LEASE and the Department for their support over the last three years.”

“I’m delighted that Professor Nick Hopkins is joining LEASE as our new Chair. His experience and expertise in leasehold and commonhold reform will be a real strength as we prepare LEASE for the changes ahead. I look forward to working with Nick to deliver more personalised advice and strengthen our digital services, making it easier for people to get the help they need.

“I’d also like to thank Martin for his leadership over the past three years and his commitment to leaseholders and park home owners.”

Professor Nick Hopkins is now in-post and the appointment is expected to run for three years.