The former Kensington and Chelsea Council housing boss is now group director of development and property at Barnet’s housing arm, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter
A housing boss criticised for her role in the Grenfell Tower fire has been appointed to key a position by Barnet Council “on merit”.
Laura Johnson was director of housing at Kensington and Chelsea Council in June 2017, when 72 people died in the fire at the tower block in North Kensington. She had served in the role since 2009.
The senior officer, criticised by a public inquiry into the deadly incident, was controversially appointed by council-run Barnet Homes as a senior ‘interim’ housing officer in June 2024.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has now learned that Johnson was recently appointed to the permanent position of group director of development and property at The Barnet Group, the council-owned company which operates Barnet Homes.
Barnet Homes, an arm’s length management organisation (Almo), is responsible for more than 14,000 council-owned properties across the borough.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, created to examine the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the June 2017 fire, found that Johnson intervened to demand that works carried out on the tower were retendered due to their high cost.
The company which subsequently won the retendered contract on a “value for money” basis replaced metal cladding with the combustible plastic panels that fuelled the fire.
The public inquiry also heard how the Kensington and Chelsea housing boss slowed down the installation of self-closing mechanisms on fire doors at Grenfell for “financial and practical reasons”.
Barnet Council says that Johnson – who “failed to give sufficient weight” to safety advice from the London Fire Brigade prior to the Grenfell fire – has been given the permanent role at The Barnet Group “on merit as the strongest candidate”.
The LDRS found a post on LinkedIn from Guardian Jobs promoting the opening ahead of Johnson’s appointment. It stated that “over 100 people clicked apply” for the position, which had a closing date of 7th June and final interviews scheduled for 1st July.
“This is an exciting time to join The Barnet Group,” the advertisement claimed, adding that the company has “blazed a trail” in growth and innovation across housing, development and care services. It promised an annual salary of up to £157,078 “depending on experience”.
An announcement about Johnson, the successful candidate, has not been published on The Barnet Group’s website at the time of reporting or when, last week, the LDRS approached the council for comment.
Last year, survivors of Grenfell condemned “a deep and bitter injustice” that many officials criticised in the public inquiry into the deadly fire have continued working in related roles with seemingly “no consequences for decisions that cost lives”.
Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesperson for Grenfell United said: “The fact that some of the people involved are still working in housing is a slap in the face to every survivor and bereaved family.”
Responding to questions from the LDRS about the permanent appointment of Laura Johnson, a spokesperson for Barnet Council said: “The role of group director of development and property at The Barnet Group was publicly advertised and attracted a competitive field of candidates.
“A robust recruitment process was undertaken to assess applicants against the requirements of the role, and Laura Johnson was appointed on merit as the strongest candidate, and she has subsequently been appointed to the role on a permanent basis.
“Barnet Homes and Barnet Council will not discuss matters relating to members of staff which took place during previous employment.”
The spokesperson added: “Our thoughts remain with the survivors and family and friends of all those affected by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire. The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority.
“Following an inspection in 2025, Barnet Council received a C1 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing, the highest possible rating for landlords of social housing. Laura Johnson played an intrinsic role in securing this rating, placing Barnet Homes among the top tier of social housing providers in the capital.
“The regulator found that the council and Barnet Homes have a good understanding of the condition of the council’s homes and are taking all reasonable steps to comply with statutory health and safety requirements.
“The judgement also recognised the collaborative approach taken by the council and Barnet Homes to identify issues and implement plans that continue to improve outcomes for residents.”
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