An award-winning housebuilder has created a new role dedicated to improving their delivery of affordable housing, a role that will be taken up by Claire Studdart.
The Hill Group has welcomed Suddart as Head of Affordable Housing, a newly created role that reflects the Group’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships with Registered Providers (RPs) and public sector organisations.
Claire will lead Hill’s affordable housing strategy, work closely with RPs to deliver affordable homes under Section 106 agreements and build long-term, collaborative relationships. The housebuilder says Studdart’s appointment underlines Hill’s ambition to be the partner of choice for RPs, delivering high-quality homes while responding flexibly to the evolving needs of the sector.
Claire brings significant experience in affordable housing delivery, having previously worked at Cala Group, where she was responsible for managing affordable housing transactions across multiple regions. During her time there, she was involved in agreeing the sale of affordable homes on over 80 sites, working closely with internal departments, local authorities and RPs to ensure the requirements of all parties were met from a planning and contractual perspective.
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She has extensive knowledge of the RP landscape and a strong network of established relationships across the sector, alongside a deep understanding of the commercial and operational considerations that underpin successful partnerships. Earlier in her career, Claire worked in frontline housing roles within local authorities, including supporting individuals and families facing homelessness, giving her a unique, end-to-end perspective on the importance of delivering new homes.
Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Claire to the business in this important new role. Her depth of experience, strong industry relationships and clear understanding of both the challenges and opportunities within the affordable housing sector make her a fantastic addition to the team.”
“As we continue to grow, strengthening our partnerships with housing associations is a key priority. Claire’s appointment reinforces our commitment to working collaboratively with our partners to deliver high-quality, much-needed affordable homes across the country.”
Claire joins Hill at a time when the affordable housing sector is facing a range of pressures, from funding constraints to shifting delivery priorities. The housebuilder says her appointment will strengthen Hill’s ability to navigate this evolving landscape, ensuring the business remains agile, commercially focused and well-positioned to deliver across a diverse range of affordable housing opportunities.
