Grenfell Housing Director Gets New Council Role Amid Survivor Backlash
Laura Johnson, who directed cost-cutting at Grenfell Tower, appointed to senior £150k housing position at Barnet Group despite criticism from fire survivors and bereaved families.
Controversial Appointment Sparks Outcry from Grenfell Community
The Grenfell housing director role has become the center of renewed controversy following the appointment of Laura Johnson to a prominent position within London's council housing sector. Johnson, who previously served as director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) during the devastating 2017 Grenfell fire, has been named permanent director of development and property at the Barnet Group. The decision to hire the Grenfell housing director has prompted immediate criticism from survivors and bereaved families who remain deeply affected by the tragedy.
Details of the New Position
The appointment places Johnson in charge of overseeing approximately 13,000 council homes managed by the Barnet Group, with an annual salary of £150,000. Her new role as director of development and property represents a significant position within London's housing administration. The Barnet Group, which serves as the housing management organization for the borough, has faced considerable pressure following the announcement of this hiring decision.
Why Survivors and Families Are Speaking Out
Members of the Grenfell community have expressed their concerns regarding Johnson's oversight of cost-cutting measures that preceded the tower fire. During her tenure as director of housing at RBKC, Johnson directed decisions that resulted in the selection of cheaper contractors for maintenance and safety work. These cost-reduction policies became a focal point in investigations into the fire, which claimed 72 lives and left countless others traumatized.
Fire survivors and bereaved family members have formally urged the Barnet Group to
