HBF appoints new planning director

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has appointed Catherine Williams as its new planning director.

Williams, who formally joins HBF in July, is currently a regional planning director at Bellway Homes. She has been a planner for more than 15 years, gaining experience in both the private and public sectors.

Williams has developed critical planning strategies and advised on major planning applications.

Previously to joining Bellway in 2022, Williams was a director within the planning team of Savills for a decade. Here, she worked closely with the housebuilding industry, amassing much experience in supporting residential-led, mixed-use developments.

Williams will lead HBF’s planning team, representing its membership at a local and national level. She is set to play a critical role in promoting solutions to the day-to-day and strategic planning challenges the industry faces.

She takes over from Sam Stafford, who left HBF earlier this month after nearly three years at the organisation.

Williams said: “I am delighted to be joining HBF at such a pivotal time for the home building industry.

“Recent planning reforms have paved the way for accelerating housebuilding but there is more to be done to speed up planning decisions and develop more effective local …