Grenfell-linked boss appointed to senior role at Barnet Group
Laura Johnson, formerly housing director at Kensington and Chelsea Council, has taken a permanent position at the council-owned housing company.
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Laura Johnson, who served as housing director at Kensington and Chelsea Council during the Grenfell Tower fire, has been appointed to a permanent senior position at The Barnet Group. She is now the group director of development and property at the council-owned company, which manages over 14,000 council-owned properties across the borough.
Johnson was criticised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry for her actions while at Kensington and Chelsea Council. The inquiry found she intervened to demand that works on the tower be retendered due to cost concerns. This led to the subsequent contractor using combustible plastic panels, which fuelled the fire that killed 72 people in June 2017. The inquiry also heard that Johnson delayed the installation of self-closing fire doors for financial and practical reasons.
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Council defends appointment
Barnet Council stated that Johnson was appointed to the role at The Barnet Group on merit, following a robust recruitment process. The position was publicly advertised and attracted a competitive field of candidates. The role offers a salary of up to £157,078, depending on experience.
A spokesperson for Barnet Council said: “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.” The council added that it would not discuss matters relating to staff during previous employment.
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Survivors of the Grenfell fire have previously expressed anger that officials criticised in the public inquiry continue to work in related roles. A spokesperson for Grenfell United told The Guardian that such appointments are “a slap in the face to every survivor and bereaved family”.
Positive rating cited
The council highlighted that Barnet Council received a C1 grading, the highest possible rating, from the Regulator of Social Housing in 2025. The council stated that Johnson played an intrinsic role in securing this rating, positioning Barnet Homes among the top tier of social housing providers in London. The regulator's judgement recognised the collaborative approach taken by the council and Barnet Homes in identifying issues and implementing plans to improve resident outcomes.
Questions this report answers
+Who is Laura Johnson and why is her appointment controversial?
Laura Johnson was the housing director at Kensington and Chelsea Council during the Grenfell Tower fire. An inquiry found she intervened to demand works be retendered due to cost, leading to the use of combustible panels, and also slowed the installation of fire doors. Barnet Council stated she was appointed on merit.
+What is Laura Johnson's new role at The Barnet Group?
Laura Johnson has been appointed as the group director of development and property at The Barnet Group. This is a permanent position within the council-owned company responsible for managing over 14,000 council-owned properties in the borough.
+How did Barnet Council respond to concerns about the appointment?
Barnet Council stated that the role was publicly advertised and that Johnson was appointed on merit as the strongest candidate after a robust recruitment process. They also noted her intrinsic role in Barnet Council securing a C1 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing.
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