Director who oversaw Grenfell cost-cutting given senior council housing role

Laura Johnson, who served as director of housing for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea during the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, has been appointed permanent director of development and property at the Barnet Group, the organization that manages the borough’s 13,000 council homes. The Grenfell inquiry found that Johnson advocated for a lower‑budget contractor, resulting in the replacement of metal cladding with combustible plastic‑filled panels, and delayed the installation of self‑closing fire‑door mechanisms despite fire‑brigade warnings. Survivors and bereaved relatives, including Ed Daffarn who escaped from the 16th floor, denounced the appointment as “outrageous,” arguing that those implicated in the tower’s unsafe refurbishments should not hold senior housing positions while justice remains pending.

The controversy centers on the perceived disregard for the inquiry’s findings and the ongoing criminal investigations. Grenfell United, representing survivors and families, urged Barnet Group to reconsider, noting that the Metropolitan Police are seeking charges against 57 individuals and 20 companies, with the Crown Prosecution Service expected to decide by June 2027. The group highlighted the timing of the appointment, calling it extraordinary that Barnet council would finalize the role before the criminal justice process concludes. Barnet Group defended its decision, stating that Johnson emerged as the strongest candidate after a competitive, publicly advertised recruitment process, and that her prior performance, qualifications, and suitability were carefully evaluated alongside the inquiry’s conclusions.

Barnet Group’s spokesperson reiterated that the safety and wellbeing of residents remain the top priority and expressed sympathy for Grenfell victims, while refusing to discuss staff matters from previous employment. The appointment underscores a broader tension between accountability for past housing safety failures and the staffing choices of local authorities, raising questions about how public housing bodies balance expertise with public trust in the wake of high‑profile disasters.

⚡ Effects Interpreter