Experienced Housing Leader Rachael Hickman to Head Up Property Development at Places for London

Rachael Hickman, a senior executive with extensive experience in housing investment and delivery, has been appointed as the new Head of Property Development at Places for London — a strategic move aimed at strengthening collaboration across the housing sector and accelerating the delivery of homes in the capital.

Hickman joins Places for London following a distinguished tenure as Assistant Director of Investment and Operations at the Greater London Authority (GLA), where she played a central role in managing major funding programmes and schemes designed to unlock more housing across London. She oversaw delivery mechanisms including the Mayor’s Land Fund, City Hall Developer Fund and Affordable Homes Programme mobilisation, driving strategic investment and innovation in affordable housing provision.

In her new role, Hickman will collaborate closely with the existing property development leadership team, including Director of Property Development Neil Hook, to expand Places for London’s development pipeline and deepen strategic partnerships. Her appointment is seen as a key step in enhancing the pace and scale of housing delivery throughout the capital — a priority for both public and private stakeholders in the UK housing market.

Places for London highlighted that Hickman’s arrival presents a significant opportunity to strengthen ties with the GLA and leverage collective resources to meet housing demand, especially in the delivery of affordable homes. The organisation emphasised her strong track record in public sector leadership and cross-organisational collaboration as critical assets in achieving its strategic objectives.

Hickman’s appointment underscores ongoing efforts within the housing sector to bring together public and private expertise to tackle longstanding supply challenges. London’s housing needs remain a central economic and social policy issue, with developers, investors and policymakers seeking new ways to streamline delivery and optimise investment impact.

The announcement drew positive responses from peers and industry professionals, recognising Hickman’s experience and her potential to influence outcomes across the city’s housing ecosystem.