Ben Alexander has been appointed as the new chair of the planning inspectorate board.
His appointment is expected to commence on 1 July 2026 and run for a period of four years. Alexander will take over from Trudi Elliott CBE, who is completing her second term as chair.
The housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook has also extended the terms of existing board members, Adrian Penfold and Oliver Munn, to September 2027.
Pennycook said: “I’m delighted to confirm Ben Alexander’s appointment as chair of the planning inspectorate board. Ben has a proven track record of effective leadership, commercial expertise and successfully driving through organisation change in the public sector. He will make an invaluable contribution to ensuring the Inspectorate provides timely, high quality and cost-effective decisions, recommendations and advice.
“I would also like to thank Trudi Elliott for her outstanding leadership over two terms, and to recognise the continued contribution of board members who have agreed to extend their service.”
