Barnet Group Appoints Former Grenfell Housing Director

The Barnet Group, which manages 13,000 council homes, has permanently appointed Laura Johnson as its director of development and property with an annual salary of £157,078. The decision has sparked backlash because Johnson served as the director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea during the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.

The Grenfell inquiry determined that Johnson pushed for lower-budget renovation works, which led to the installation of combustible plastic-filled panels instead of metal cladding. The inquiry also found that she delayed the installation of self-closing fire door mechanisms for financial reasons.

Grenfell United and survivors have condemned the appointment as "outrageous" and "disrespectful." They argue that individuals named in the inquiry should not hold positions of power while a Metropolitan Police investigation into 57 individuals and 20 companies remains ongoing. The Barnet Group defended the hire, stating Johnson was the "strongest candidate" and that the inquiry findings were considered during the recruitment process.