The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has announced a shake up in the Agency's top structure and office accommodation.

Trevor Beattie, currently Director of strategy, policy, performance and research will become director of place making, bringing together all of the Agency's corporate property, regeneration and institutional finance skills, including the Thames Gateway, skills and knowledge and the Milton Keynes Partnership.

Richard Hill, currently Director of investment and renewal will become director of housing growth and affordability, assuming additional responsibilities for housing growth and spatial and market intelligence.

Richard Ennis will continue as Director of finance and corporate services, assuming additional responsibility for communications and the HCA's secretariat team.

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Stephen Muers will report directly to Chief Executive Sir Bob Kerslake, as Head of strategy. All of the structural changes will take effect from the end of June.

The new structure takes account of recent changes at the agency including most recently John Lewis, Acting Director of new ventures and partnerships, who is leaving the HCA for a new post as chief executive of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation.

Sir Bob Kerslake, said: "As a relatively new organisation seeking to improve and build on strong foundations, we are constantly reviewing how we work.

"In the current economic climate we are very clear that where we can make efficiency savings and achieve more for less, then we should. We have a strong regional structure and well-established local relationships and I am confident that this new top structure means we remain fit for purpose as a national agency that works locally."

The announcement sees a reduction in the number of corporate director posts at the Agency from seven to three, in addition to the Chief Executive.

The HCA has also announced its intention to further reduce the number of offices inherited from the Agency's predecessor bodies. The proposal includes vacating the Agency's corporate office in London Victoria, moving some corporate staff to its existing offices in Milton Keynes. The Agency will retain a corporate office in London at Maple House in Tottenham Court road. These proposals will be subject to internal consultation.

(CD/GK)