October 16, 2025
The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) is delighted to announce the appointment of The Rt Hon Lord Jim Knight and The Rt Hon Lord Don Foster as Co-Presidents of the Council, subject to final endorsement by the NHIC Board. This leadership announcement was first shared at the NHIC’s Parliamentary Reception on 15 October 2025, where members and parliamentarians warmly welcomed the news. Following a series of thoughtful and constructive conversations, both Lord Knight and Lord Foster have agreed to take up the role of Co-Presidents – a move that heralds a new chapter of unity and fresh leadership for the NHIC.
A Unified, Cross-Party Leadership
Having two Co-Presidents at the helm is a first for the NHIC and reflects the Council’s commitment to unity and cross-party collaboration. Lord Knight and Lord Foster are both deeply respected Parliamentarians from different political backgrounds (Labour and Liberal Democrat, respectively), symbolising a non-partisan approach to improving the nation’s homes. Their joint presidency underscores that the mission of the NHIC – ensuring everyone in the UK can live in a safe, healthy, and affordable home – transcends party lines. By combining their strengths, the Co-Presidents will help build bridges across the political spectrum and within the industry, advocating for policies that benefit homeowners, tenants, and the home improvement sector as a whole.
Combined Experience Across Key Sectors
Between them, Lord Knight and Lord Foster bring an extraordinary breadth of experience in fields critical to the NHIC’s work, including education and skills development, housing policy, energy efficiency, and consumer protection. This combination of expertise is especially valuable as the NHIC tackles issues such as the construction skills gap, the push for greener homes, and the necessity for robust consumer protections in home improvement. Their co-leadership will strengthen the Council’s voice on issues ranging from vocational training in the building trades to sustainable housing initiatives and fair consumer standards.
- Education & Skills: Lord Knight was the UK’s longest-serving Schools Minister during the Blair/Brown government, with a portfolio spanning schools, employment, and digital technology. He has dedicated much of his career to improving education and training, serving as Minister for Schools and Learners (2006–2009) and later as Minister of State for Employment (2009–2010). In the House of Lords (as Baron Knight of Weymouth since 2010), he continues to champion skills development and innovation in education, bringing valuable insights into workforce training and development for the home improvement and construction industries.
- Housing & Energy Efficiency: Lord Foster (Baron Foster of Bath) has a distinguished record in housing and community affairs. As the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath from 1992 to 2015, and a minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government (2012–2013), he was actively involved in housing policy and local government initiatives. Lord Foster has long been a strong advocate for energy-efficient homes and environmental sustainability – notably introducing a Private Member’s Bill aimed at improving the energy performance of homes to at least EPC Band C by 2035. Now a life peer, he brings a wealth of knowledge on improving housing standards, reducing fuel poverty, and promoting sustainable home improvements, all of which align closely with the NHIC’s goals.
- Consumer Protection: Both Co-Presidents are committed to protecting consumers and ensuring quality within the home improvement sector. Lord Knight’s background in digital policy and community projects, and Lord Foster’s experience in local government and national energy initiatives, give them a keen understanding of the importance of trust, fairness, and safety for homeowners. Their leadership is expected to bolster the NHIC’s efforts in advocating for robust consumer protections – from supporting reputable trades and high standards, to championing measures that safeguard residents in retrofit and renovation projects. This focus on consumers complements the NHIC’s broader mission of improving homes and lives across the UK.
About Lord Jim Knight
The Rt Hon Lord Jim Knight of Weymouth PC is a Labour Co-operative politician with a career dedicated to education, employment, and social innovation. He served as an MP (2001–2010) and held several ministerial roles, most prominently as Schools Minister from 2006 to 2009 – becoming the longest-serving Schools Minister in the UK during the Blair/Brown era. In this role, and later as Employment Minister, he worked on raising the education leaving age and expanding training opportunities. Lord Knight’s portfolio in government also included digital inclusion and rural affairs, reflecting a versatile approach to policy. After being appointed to the House of Lords in 2010, he has continued to focus on education (for example, as a chief education adviser in the private sector) and on initiatives that leverage technology and skills training to benefit society. Lord Knight is passionate about lifelong learning and the role of new technologies in upskilling the workforce – perspectives that will greatly inform his guidance as NHIC Co-President on workforce development and innovation in home improvement.
About Lord Don Foster
The Rt Hon Lord Don Foster of Bath PC is a Liberal Democrat politician known for his contributions to housing, local government, and community well-being. He was the Member of Parliament for Bath for 23 years (1992–2015), during which time he championed issues such as urban regeneration, building safety, and consumer rights. In Parliament, Don Foster served as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government from 2012 to 2013, where his brief covered housing, localism and building regulations. A lifelong proponent of energy efficiency and sustainable housing, he has pushed for stronger government action on home insulation and carbon reduction. In 2021, Lord Foster introduced legislation in the House of Lords to require upgrades of home Energy Performance Certificates, reflecting his commitment to greener, more efficient homes. He also has a record of supporting consumer protection measures – for example, advocating for fair deals for energy consumers and safer building standards for residents. Elevated to the Lords in 2015, Lord Foster of Bath remains active on issues of fuel poverty, climate change, and community development. His expertise will help ensure the NHIC continues to lead on policies that make UK homes safer, warmer, and more affordable for all.
A Fresh Chapter for the NHIC
This joint appointment of Lord Knight and Lord Foster as Co-Presidents marks an exciting and celebratory new chapter for the National Home Improvement Council. It comes at a pivotal time, as the NHIC advances its work on improving home conditions, boosting retrofit and energy-efficiency measures, and addressing the skills and supply-chain challenges facing the sector. Their Co-Presidency reflects the NHIC’s desire to signal unity, cross-party collaboration, and fresh leadership for our next chapter, building on the legacy of past Presidents while looking to the future. The combined leadership of two experienced Parliamentarians sends a clear message: that ensuring better homes for everyone in the UK is a national priority that unites all sides of politics and society.
Anna Scothern, Chief Executive of the NHIC, welcomed the new Co-Presidents, saying: “We are thrilled to have Lord Knight and Lord Foster join us in these pivotal roles. Their wisdom, influence and passion for improvement will be invaluable as we continue our mission.” The NHIC Board’s final endorsement is expected shortly, after which Lords Knight and Foster will formally begin their tenure.
The NHIC and its members extend their heartfelt congratulations to Lord Knight and Lord Foster. With their guidance and support, the Council is confident in accelerating progress toward its vision of safe, healthy, energy-efficient homes for all UK residents. The NHIC looks forward to working under the co-presidents’ leadership, driving forward initiatives in education and skills, sustainable housing, and consumer protection that will benefit both industry professionals and the public. Together, we celebrate this moment of renewal and the promise it holds for the future of home improvement across the nation.
About the NHIC: Established in 1974, the National Home Improvement Council is the umbrella body for the UK’s home improvement sector. The NHIC represents almost 100,000 businesses carrying out repairs, maintenance, and improvements in home. As the voice of home improvement in the UK, it works with government, industry, and communities to promote better housing quality, energy efficiency, and consumer safety. The Council’s aim is for everyone in the UK to live in a safe, healthy, and affordable home – a goal it pursues through research, advocacy, and collaboration across the sector. With the new Co-Presidents providing cross-party leadership, the NHIC is poised to strengthen its impact and drive positive change in the months and years ahea
Quote from Anna Scothern, NHIC Chief Executive
“It’s an honour to welcome both Lord Knight and Lord Foster as Co-Presidents of the NHIC. Their combined experience across housing, skills, energy efficiency and consumer protection reflects exactly the kind of cross-sector collaboration we need to meet the challenges facing our nation’s homes.
Their leadership will help strengthen our collective voice, rebuild trust, and drive progress towards safer, healthier, and more sustainable homes for everyone.
Quote from Jon Vanstone, NHIC Chair
“On behalf of the NHIC Board, I’m delighted to welcome Lord Knight and Lord Foster as our new Co-Presidents.
Their appointment signals a renewed commitment to partnership, inclusivity and shared purpose across industry and government. I look forward to working with them both as we continue to champion the people and organisations improving the quality and standards of homes across the UK.”