New interim chair for troubled quango LEASE

Wanda Goldwag, a former marketing executive for British Airways, has been appointed interim chair of the controversial Leasehold Advisory Service.

Ms Goldwag, who ran BA’s Air Miles, is chair of the Office for Legal Complaints, which controls the legal ombudsman service for England and Wales.

Four trustees of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership have been declined membership of the LEASE board.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Heather Wheeler MP, said:

“LEASE has an important role in supporting leaseholders and helping them resolve problems, and I am pleased to appoint Wanda Goldwag as chair.

“She will bring a level of expertise and knowledge from her previous roles which will be of real benefit to leaseholders.

“The government is working hard to reform leasehold practices and ensure that the reality of home ownership can live up to the dream for those who purchase a leasehold home.”

Wanda Goldwag, who has been appointed for 18 months, said:

“I am delighted to be able to help LEASE in this time of renewal of the organisation’s aims.

“I hope to ensure that LEASE is the first port of call for leaseholders, potential leaseholders and park home owners in England and Wales and that the organisation provides high quality information and initial advice to lay people.”

The Leasehold Advisory Service was subject to robust criticism when its chief executive Anthony Essien came before the Communities Select Committee in December.

Can the Leasehold Advisory Service monopoly survive devastating questioning by Select Committee?