About us

The Shared Ownership Council was an initiative established to drive an independent focus on improving the shared owner experience and unlocking a stronger, fairer shared ownership market.

We were a time-limited initiative, not a legal entity. It was led by a Board, chaired by Ann Santry CBE, and facilitated by Social Finance – a not-for-profit enterprise that provided the capacity and capability to run the Council. We were grant-funded by 34 organisations and were responsible for delivering consumer-focused aims enshrined in our grant agreements.

Our work at the Shared Ownership Council

All activity at the Shared Ownership Council is underpinned by our core purpose of driving meaningful improvements to the shared owner experience, with the ultimate goal of unlocking a stronger and fairer shared ownership market.

Shared Ownership Code

Following extensive consumer and industry consultation, we developed and launched the Shared Ownership Code for housing providers. It was designed to standardise best practices and consumer protection for shared ownership, ensuring it had a sustainable, consumer-focused future. We also led the structured process to select a Code Operator (NHQB) to ensure the Code had robust, long-term governance, operational management, and financial stability.

Senior Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)

We convened our Senior Advisory Group of Experts quarterly, comprising representatives from each of our 34 funder organisations. These groups were designed to communicate progress, understand perspectives, and explore new areas of focus and improvement.

The Shared Ownership Council’s independence and cross-sector remit meant that, in response to demand from industry participants, we expanded from our primary focus on the Code to begin considering the potential for efforts on data and reform. Focused progress in these areas made a measured impact.

Data

Improving data and information on shared ownership’s impact is necessary. We reviewed the landscape of effort on data in shared ownership and convened a working group on data and evidence to make recommendations (with a publication forthcoming).

Reform and standardisation

Alongside the rollout of the Code, we believe there was room for thoughtful, targeted reform that would help shared ownership make sense to consumers. We facilitated discussions with members of the SAGE advisory group to identify promising options for government-led reform.

Engagement with Government, public bodies and the wider shared ownership ecosystem

We continued to proactively engage with the Government, public bodies, industry and member organisations, and shared ownership campaigners to foster collaboration in the movement to drive meaningful improvements to the shared owner experience.

Timeline of activity

    • Lloyds Banking Group funded early work to explore appetite for a cross-sector effort to improve experiences of shared ownership.

    • Chaired by Peter Williams, a voluntary group of senior leaders from across the sector came together to guide this work, supported by Social Finance as secretariat.

    • The group published a discussion paper proposing an industry-led framework for shared ownership and invited feedback from across the sector.

    • Widespread support led to efforts to raise funding from a broad range of organisations involved in shared ownership to move the work forward.

    • Social Finance began facilitating the Shared Ownership Council.

    • Ann Santry CBE became Chair of the project Board, joined by Brendan Sarsfield and Paula Higgins, with Janet Pope joining in early 2024. Peter Williams continued as an advisor to the Board throughout.

    • The first draft Shared Ownership Code was published.

    • From June to September, the Council conducted an extensive consultation with shared owners and the sector to gather feedback on the Code and shared ownership experience.

    • Feedback from the consultation shaped a revised version of the Code, published in December 2024.

    • The Council piloted the Code with eight housing providers to ensure it was easy and practical to implement when launched industry-wide.

    • Insights the consultation, pilot, and wider feedback shaped the final Code, published in June 2025. Providers can now register their interest in adopting it.

  • The Shared Ownership Council selected the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) to be the Code Operator for the Shared Ownership Code.

Board Members

We were pleased to have had a Board in place with members who were well-respected and known in the sector, offering a range of insights from many years in the housing space.

  • Ann Santry CBE

    Chair

    Ann has worked in the social housing sector for over 35 years and was CEO of Sovereign Housing until June 2018. She holds NED positions at the housebuilder, Hill Group, and Simply Affordable Homes.

  • Paula Higgins

    Paula is founder of the HomeOwners Alliance, established after 15 years’ experience reforming housing policy within government. She is a respected property commentator and advocate for homeowners.

  • Brendan Sarsfield

    Brendan has over 40 years’ experience in the housing sector, including as Peabody’s CEO (2017-2021). He now has a number of Advisory/NED roles and is Chair Elect of Notting Hill Genesis.

  • Janet Pope

    Janet most recently served as Chief of Staff and Chief Sustainability Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, a Group Executive Committee role. Here she led on a variety of purpose related issues including access to affordable, quality and sustainable homes, inclusion and sustainability. Janet has a number of non executive roles including Chair at Charities Aid Foundation Bank.

  • Peter Williams

    Independent advisor

    Peter has an extensive career, spanning academia, housing and financial service, trade bodies, government research, and public service. Most recently, he was the Executive Director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, having previously served as the Deputy Director General of Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Data Research Project

If you’re interested in a data research project, please get in touch with Peter and Susan via susan.mcdonald@socialfinance.org.uk

  • Susan McDonald

    Director, Social Finance

    Susan McDonald leads Social Finance's housing and homelessness practice and has led engagements for them since 2018. 

    She joined Social Finance after 11 years in the financial services sector, primarily as an investment manager at Aberdeen Asset Management. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

  • Peter Williams

    Independent advisor

    Peter has an extensive career, spanning academia, housing and financial service, trade bodies, government research, and public service. Most recently, he was the Executive Director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, having previously served as the Deputy Director General of Council of Mortgage Lenders.