Morning Briefing: house builder CEO pay in the spotlight

In the news

It’s not uncommon to see national newspapers scrutinise executive pay at housing associations, but over the past day or so the focus has been on executive pay at commercial house builder Persimmon.

Several newspapers have reported the furore over a bonus for chief executive Jeff Fairburn understood to be in the region of £110m.

The Times yesterday reported that Mr Fairburn has received the first £45m instalment and is facing “mounting calls” to give up some of his bonus.

The Daily Mail has linked the bonus to profits from the taxpayer-backed Help to Buy scheme, while The Guardian has reported that Mr Fairburn is under pressure to donate some of the bonus to charity.

Several housing figures have been named in the New Year’s Honours list. Stephen Howlett, former chief executive of Peabody and Jo Boaden, chief executive of the Northern Housing Consortium, were the most familiar names on the list for Inside Housing readers, both being awarded CBEs. The Guardian has a report here.

Andrew Robertson, chair of LAR Housing Trust, received a CBE for his services to veterans, healthcare and affordable housing in Glasgow and Marc Vlessing, chief executive of Pocket Living, was awarded an OBE. Jane Clarke, former chief executive of the Churches Housing Association in Dudley and District, received an MBE.

Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats have published figures showing that more than 11,000 homes across the United Kingdom have been empty for 10 years or more. The BBC has reported the figures.

Finally today, association Two Rivers Housing wants to franchise its estate agency business and is inviting other housing associations to get involved.

On social media

Jo Boaden’s reaction to her CBE:

Thank you for all the thoughtful, kind messages I have received about the CBE! Continue to be overwhelmed and remain surprised, even though I have known since the end of November and have had to keep it secret, very difficult! Wonderful to have this recognition for the NHC @NHC

— Jo Boaden (@JoBoaden)

Thank you for all the thoughtful, kind messages I have received about the CBE! Continue to be overwhelmed and remain surprised, even though I have known since the end of November and have had to keep it secret, very difficult! Wonderful to have this recognition for the NHC @NHC

— Jo Boaden (@JoBoaden) December 31, 2017