Politics · United Kingdom · 9 hrs ago
Former Grenfell housing director leaves senior Barnet Group role
Laura Johnson has left her senior housing role at the Barnet Group, which manages 13,000 council homes in Barnet, north London.
She was appointed to the £157,078-a-year job in August.
Johnson was housing director at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea when a fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017 killed 72 people.
A public inquiry criticised her role in budget decisions, including backing a lower-cost contractor for the tower’s renovation.
Bereaved families and survivors objected to her appointment, and the Barnet Group has not said why she left.
Police have asked prosecutors to consider charges, including manslaughter and fraud, against 54 people and 20 companies and organisations in connection with the fire.
The Crown Prosecution Service says it will make charging decisions before the disaster’s 10th anniversary on 14 June 2027.
Laura Johnson has left her senior housing role at the Barnet Group after criticism of her appointment from Grenfell Tower bereaved families and survivors.
The company confirmed in a letter to MP Joe Powell that Johnson was no longer employed, but did not explain why she left.
Johnson was director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea at the time of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people.
A subsequent inquiry criticised her role in budget-cutting decisions and found she pushed for a lower-budget contractor for the tower’s renovation.
The Metropolitan police has asked prosecutors to consider charges against 54 individuals and 20 companies and organisations in relation to the fire.
- Who
- Laura Johnson, former director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
- What
- She has left her senior development and property role at the Barnet Group.
- When
- The company confirmed she was no longer employed in a letter; the date of her departure is not stated.
- Where
- The Barnet Group, which manages council homes in the London Borough of Barnet.
- Why
- The reason for her departure is not clear. Her appointment had drawn criticism from Grenfell bereaved families and survivors.
Grenfell bereaved families and survivors
The Barnet Group
Appointment
Grenfell bereaved families and survivors
Families and survivors described Johnson’s appointment as outrageous and disrespectful.
The Barnet Group
The company said she was the strongest candidate in a competitive field and cited her experience, performance, references, qualifications and suitability.
The Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people.
Johnson was appointed director of development and property at the Barnet Group.
The Barnet Group said Johnson was the strongest candidate for the role in a competitive field.
The Metropolitan police said it had asked prosecutors to consider charges against 54 individuals and 20 companies and organisations.
The Crown Prosecution Service said charging decisions would be made before the 10th anniversary of the fire.
- Former employer
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- New role
- Director of development and property at the Barnet Group
- Annual salary
- £157,078
- Homes managed
- 13,000 council homes
- Grenfell death toll
- 72 people
- Potential defendants
- 54 individuals and 20 companies and organisations
What people are saying
We fully recognise the depth of feeling surrounding the Grenfell Tower tragedy and its continuing impact on bereaved families, survivors, residents and the wider community.
It’s totally inappropriate for any individual criticised by the inquiry to continue to work in housing, particularly while criminal investigations are ongoing.
We can confirm that Laura Johnson is no longer employed by The Barnet Group.
Sources
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