David represents HBF in policy discussions across Whitehall and beyond to ensure that the future policy environment is favourable to the industry. As well as responsibility for HBF's research, he has produced analysis and policy reports on a range of subjects, including the historic decline of SMEs in the housebuilding sector, the weakness of headline housebuilding statistics, the changing nature of housing supply, the economic benefits of increased housing output and various pre-election policy publications.
David joined HBF in 2013, initially as Deputy Director of External Affairs. After graduating from the London School of Economics, he worked for the Conservatives as an adviser to then Shadow Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP and subsequently the Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps MP. He has also advised council leaders in London on housing, finance reform and government relations.
The evolution of housing policy and politics
David O’Leary, HBF policy director, looks at the history of housebuilding and politics
Stamp duty success hinders calls for reform
David O’Leary delves deep into recent stamp duty statistics and finds a tax that has successfully hit the government’s goals
Great strides on diversity - but gender pay gap shows much to be done
HBF policy director David O’Leary looks at the latest round of mandatory gender pay gap
Lessons from Japan could be lost in translation
HBF policy director David O’Leary asks what can we learn from Japan’s housing market and its home building sector?
Four new priorities to address the industry’s challenges
HBF policy director David O’Leary looks at the result of HBF’s recent survey of stakeholder and public views of the industry
Changing attitudes and actions on environmental issues
David O’Leary, policy director at HBF, looks at research undertaken ahead of last month’s Environment Summit on changing customer attitudes
Moribund second hand market needs help before Help to Buy ends
The moribund second hand market will become increasingly important to housebuilders and government as Help to Buy is tapered away. HBF policy director David O’Leary examines the problem
