Former Labour MP Dame Karen Buck has been hired as Generation Rent’s new chair of the board.

Dame Karen (main image), who had a 27-year stint in the Commons, first as MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North and then for Westminster North - the constituency with the highest proportion of private renters in the country - before standing down before the general election, is a long-time champion for renters.

She authored and led the private member’s bill which became the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2019 and in 2022 introduced a private members’ bill to set up a national register of short and holiday-let accommodation, which was blocked by the Conservatives.

Buck also served as Transport Minister and Shadow Minister in the Departments of Education and Work and Pensions and is currently working in governance roles for regeneration and development projects in London.

Vital time

Dame Karen says she joins the campaigning group at a vital time for renters, when they are so high up the political and media agenda.

“This is in no small part thanks to the organisation, as the only non-profit dedicated to empowering private tenants to be heard in the corridors of power all over the UK,” she says.

“I look forward to working with the brilliant staff team and board to make sure that every renter lives in a secure, quality and affordable home.”

Chief executive Ben Twomey (pictured) believes the former MP’s vast experience will hugely benefit its cause.

“The pressures on renters right now are enormous, but so too are the opportunities for change,” says Twomey. “With Karen’s leadership and expertise, I am confident that Generation Rent will continue to persuade governments to improve the lives of renters across the UK. Karen absolutely shares our vision that renting can, must and will get better.”