Ex-Grenfell housing chief appointed at Barnet Group amid survivor criticism

Laura Johnson, who served as housing director at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) at the time of the Grenfell Tower fire, has been appointed to a senior position at The Barnet Group. The organisation manages social housing for Barnet Council. The appointment has been met with strong criticism from survivors and bereaved families of the 2017 disaster.

One survivor described the move as a "slap in the face" regarding accountability for the fire, which resulted in 72 fatalities. More than nine years after the event, those affected by the tragedy continue to seek justice and accountability. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry identified failings at multiple levels, including within RBKC.

Involvement in Grenfell decisions

During her tenure at RBKC, Johnson was involved in decisions concerning the tower's overcladding and fire doors, according to Peter Apps, a journalist with Inside Housing. Apps stated that Johnson was heavily involved in decisions regarding the installation of self-closing devices for fire doors across RBKC's 9,000 homes, a critical element highlighted during the inquiry due to its later consequences on the night of the fire.

Johnson gave evidence to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry over several days in 2021 and 2022. When asked if she would have done anything differently, she responded that she would have wished for more due diligence regarding the cladding. She acknowledged the difficulty of looking back and considering actions that might have prevented the tragedy.

Barnet Council's response

The Barnet Group confirmed Johnson's appointment as group director of development and property. A spokesperson for Barnet Council stated that the appointment followed a "robust and publicly advertised recruitment process". The council concluded that Johnson was the strongest candidate, legally eligible, and well-qualified, taking into account her professional experience, subsequent performance, references, qualifications, and overall suitability.

Barnet Council also stated it was aware of the Grenfell Inquiry findings and considered them carefully during the recruitment. The council added that its thoughts remain with the survivors and the families of those affected by the fire, and that the safety and wellbeing of residents is its top priority.

Grenfell United, representing bereaved families and survivors, has called on Barnet Council and The Barnet Group to urgently review the appointment and pause its implementation pending that review. The Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner had been made aware of the appointment and would respond in due course, though a spokesperson noted that councils are responsible for their own employment decisions.