A note from the Chief Executive

It has now been almost a month since I joined the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) as Chief Executive, and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share a few reflections on the role LEASE plays and the priorities that will guide my early months.

Homes matter deeply to people. For most of us they represent not only a financial investment, but also security, stability, and peace of mind. When questions or problems arise, the leasehold system can sometimes feel complex and difficult to navigate. That is where LEASE plays such an important role: providing clear, impartial, and trusted advice to help people understand their rights and responsibilities.

Since joining the organisation, I have been struck by the professionalism and commitment of the LEASE team. Every day colleagues work with care and expertise to support leaseholders, shared owners and park home residents across England and Wales. Often the people who contact LEASE are facing uncertainty or stress, and the clarity of advice provided can make a genuine difference.

We are also entering an important period for the sector. With ongoing leasehold reform, including the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the emerging Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, the landscape is continuing to evolve. As these changes take shape, there will be an increasing need for reliable information that helps people understand what they mean in practice. LEASE will continue to play an essential role in helping people navigate this changing environment.

Over the past few weeks my focus has been on listening: to the experiences of the people who use our services, to colleagues within LEASE, and to partners across the housing sector. Those conversations have reinforced for me how important it is that LEASE continues to evolve while staying true to its core mission.

Looking ahead, my priorities centre on 4 areas.

First, we must ensure that high-quality, impartial advice remains at the heart of everything we do. The legal expertise within LEASE is the organisation’s foundation, and maintaining trust and clarity for consumers will always come first.

Second, we will continue to improve how people access information and support. Today the vast majority of people come to LEASE through our website, and we are working to make it easier for people to find clear answers quickly, while ensuring advisers can focus on the cases where expert guidance is most needed.

Third, we want to make better use of the insight and evidence generated through our work. Every enquiry we receive provides a valuable window into how the system is operating in practice. By analysing this carefully, we can help inform policymakers, regulators, and the wider sector, ultimately improving outcomes for consumers.

Finally, we will continue to ensure that LEASE operates with strong governance, transparency, and value for money, reflecting our role as a government-funded body serving the public.

My ambition is for LEASE to remain the trusted authority that people turn to for clear advice, while continuing to modernise so that we can support even more people in the years ahead.

The leasehold system will continue to evolve, but the importance of trusted advice for consumers will remain constant. I look forward to working with colleagues, partners, and the people who use our services as we build the next chapter of LEASE together.