David O'Leary

David O'Leary

Executive Director, HBF

David O’Leary is an Executive Director of the Home Builders Federation and leads on policy matters, research and government relations. He joined HBF in 2013 and became a board member in 2023. He has led on a range of work including the development of policy proposals to address the long-term decline of SMEs in the sector. More recently, David represented HBF in negotiations with the Government on the Building Safety Self-Remediation Pledge which was subsequently signed more than 50 developers and headed up engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority through the course of its 12-month Market Study on Housebuilding during 2023/24. This work included authoring a 75-year history of the home building industry.

Before joining HBF a decade ago he held a range of roles, advising Conservative frontbench politicians on housing and culture policy and spent time in local government where he worked on government relations, business rate reform and housing policy.

Help to Buy – the great policy enigma of our time

Sept. 3, 2020

HBF policy director David O’Leary discusses the reputation and standing of Help to Buy - why is it downplayed by supporters and criticised in the media?

Changing the public perception of Help to Buy

Dec. 4, 2020

HBF policy director David O’Leary looks back on a remarkable year and looks ahead to 2021 and the new Help to Buy

Sensible approach needed on Residential Property Developer Tax

July 9, 2021

HBF policy director David O’Leary takes a detailed look at the new Residential Property Developer Tax

The challenges of the post-Help to Buy world

Dec. 1, 2021

HBF's David O’Leary looks at the new initiatives in the new build mortgage market that will be important for the sector as Help to Buy disappears in 2023

The resurgence of nimbyism in Westminster

July 6, 2022

HBF strategy and external affairs director David O’Leary despairs at the anti-development and nimbyist rhetoric of MPs