Homes England has announced that one of its most senior executives is leaving the agency.

Stephen Kinsella, chief land and development officer, has quit to take up a new senior role as housebuilder Barratt.

According to a statement issued by Homes England on Twitter – see below – Kinsella will leave the organisation next year, having “rebuilt” its land operation since joining Homes England in 2017.

Kinsella is leaving to take up the job of group major projects director at Barratt. He previously worked for the housebuilder before joining the agency four years ago.

Kinsella’s exit follows a turbulent period for the body, which has been put under review by the government following the appointment of a new chair Peter Freeman, and the unexpected departure of its previous chief executive, Nick Walkley, at the start of 2021.

Before joining Homes England, Kinsella had spent 11 years at Barratt, where he was growth and partnerships director.

Aside from taking up the new role at Barratt, where he had previously spent 11 years as growth and partnerships director, Kinsella is also expected to take a non-exec job chairing housing association Cobalt in Liverpool.

Kinsella said on Twitter that “My national service is over. Job done & someone else’s turn to have a go at this great role.”