A blog post from outgoing GHA Programme Director Julian Brooks.
After nearly 10 years at the GHA, at the end of August 2025 I will be leaving my role as Programme Director to lead on the development of a new cohousing project in Somerset called Bridge Farm.
During my term at the GHA it has been a pleasure to work with all board members present and past, including Jon Bootland, Lynne Sullivan OBE, Tom Dollard, Emma Davies, David Adams, Neil Murphy, Rafe Bertram, Elanor Warwick and Mike Roberts.
The GHA staff have been brilliant and a special mention goes to Richard Broad who has been my right hand since day one and of course to the rest of the team, Larry, Sophie and Beth.
Like all jobs there have been challenges, opportunities and highs and lows but I’m particularly proud of the work developed by GHA and our members. Such as…
- Helping to mitigate overheating in new and existing homes (a special mention here goes to Julie Godefroy and Susie Diamond).
- Making the case for a new more positive culture on shading.
- Our work on promoting net zero, better building performance (via the Building Performance Network that GHA now runs) and better placemaking.
- Establishing the Welsh Zero Carbon Hwb along with our partners EST and TrustMark.
- Fiscal and financial incentives to accelerate net zero new build development.
- Addressing the reduction and reuse of water.
All of these themes are integral to meeting the climate challenge and still need pushing hard with industry and government if we are to meet any form of net zero target.
When I started at the GHA the Code for Sustainable Homes was abolished and the energy/carbon reduction clock was set back by about 13 + years in my opinion. It still has not been matched by any government backed standard since, even the forthcoming Future Homes Standard will be no match for the higher levels of the CSH.
Since then, ‘business as usual’ and ‘profit over planet’ has taken precedence but despite this, the GHA has maintained course and doubled down on what it and its members wanted to see happen, namely better homes and places – faster and further than government trajectories and targets. And this remains the case today.
I can however see glimmers of hope within the development, design and planning sectors, such as the likes of GHA developer members Town and Greencore pushing ahead with new home developments to very high environmental and social standards aided by architects, consultants and designers like PTEa, BioRegional and Baily Garner; the creation of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard; and progressive local authorities adopting and implementing net zero planning policies. These pioneers need promoting, supporting and others encouraged to join them as they lead the way.
Lastly, it is not without challenge that third sector organisations in the built environment continue to operate, membership is not always easy to maintain as budgets get cut, competition increases and grant funding in the new build sector is at best minimal, so it is to be commended that we have support from our members, supporters and sponsors and long may it continue into the future. Let us not forget that we need independent organisations who are not conflicted in order to speak truly and honestly about the sector and what it needs to do to create better homes.
I’m incredibly proud of my time with the GHA and I am confident the organisation will continue to flourish, with my successor already appointed and due to start later in September.
Best regards,
Julian Brooks