Executive Agency of the UK Cabinet Office, The Government Property Agency (GPA), has confirmed a second term for Pat Ritchie CBE as its chair.

The appointment extends Ritchie’s position by a further three years to 2027, and she will continue to work closely with the wider board and executive team to support the GPA’s mission to create a better-connected, better-quality and greener government property estate.  The agency recently announced the appointment of Mark Bourgeois as interim chief executive and will be undertaking a recruitment process for a permanent CEO this year.

Ritchie has extensive experience in real estate, local government and economic development, including how major investment programmes can be leveraged to support regional growth.  She was chief executive of Newcastle City Council for more than eight years, where she oversaw multi-million pound regeneration projects.  She was also chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England) and former deputy chief executive of the One North East Regional Development Agency.

The GPA is leading one of the most ambitious workplace transformation programmes in the UK, supporting the relocation of up to 22,000 civil service roles out of London.  Since Ritchie joined in 2020 the agency has grown significantly.  It now manages nearly 1m sq. m of the government’s property portfolio, providing strategic planning and workplace services to departments including design, property technology and workplace experience. 

The agency is also bringing forward the Government Hubs Programme – creating modern, shared workspaces where civil service teams can collaborate and work productively.  This includes the new Darlington Economic Campus, which will be home to nine government departments including HM Treasury and is due to be completed in 2026.

By creating fantastic places that bring government teams closer to the communities they serve, we’re enabling our civil service to make the best possible impact it can while opening up opportunities for more people to enjoy rewarding public sector careers.

Ritchie says: “The GPA has already made great strides in creating a more modern, joined-up and efficient estate and I look forward to building on this success in my second term as chair. 

“I’m incredibly passionate about the work we do, and my focus will continue to be on making sure we deliver a great experience for our clients and looking at how our activity can deliver wider benefits across the UK. 

“By creating fantastic places that bring government teams closer to the communities they serve, we’re enabling our civil service to make the best possible impact it can while opening up opportunities for more people to enjoy rewarding public sector careers.”

Through the Hubs Programme, the GPA is delivering smart, modern, sustainable and digitally-connected workplaces that focus on supporting productivity and wellbeing.  And its Workplace Transformation Programme is introducing regional, people-centred, data-driven facilities management contracts that will support civil servants across the United Kingdom.