Lord Best sits as an independent crossbencher in the House of Lords. He is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People. He led the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, and has served as director of the British Churches Housing Trust and director of the National Housing Federation. Lord Best was chair of Hanover Housing Association from 2006 to 2015 and President of the Local Government Association from 2007 to 2016. He also chaired the Council of The Property Ombudsman between 2009 and 2017. He has successfully piloted four Private Members Bills through the House of Lords, most recently the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Lord Best replaces Baroness Maddock who is stepping down as president following a period of ill health from which she is now recovered.
Lesley Rudd, SEA chief executive, commented: “On behalf of the Sustainable Energy Association and all of its members I would like to thank Baroness Maddock for her substantial contribution over many years as president of the organisation.
“I am delighted to welcome our new president, Lord Best OBE. As we strive to deliver an industrial strategy that provides for clean growth, our buildings are pivotal and Lord Best’s knowledge and experience in this area, together with his obvious passion, will enrich our work. I look forward to working closely with Lord Best as we build upon the opportunities provided by the recognition that clean growth is the way ahead.”
Lord Best OBE, president of SEA, said: “I am delighted to take on the role of president of the Sustainable Energy Association at such an important time for the energy and housing markets. The SEA has been joined by 11 new members in 2017 which demonstrates the relevance of the organisation and its agenda. The SEA’s technology agnostic and objective approach together with the breadth of its membership make it well placed to make a positive contribution to policy development in both housing and energy. I look forward to working with the SEA to make our energy and our communities more sustainable.”
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