New Chief Executive appointed to HM Land Registry

Simon Hayes has today (25 September) been appointed by the Business Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Lord Duncan as the new Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar of HM Land Registry.

Simon will take up leadership of HM Land Registry in November 2019. He will bring considerable experience from previous roles in the Home Office to lead HM Land Registry in delivering its business strategy and become the world’s leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.

Business Minister Lord Duncan said:

I am delighted to announce Simon Hayes as the new Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar of HM Land Registry. Simon brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous roles in the Home Office and will ensure the organisation continues its transformation into a world leading land registry, delivering a first rate, digital service to its customers.

I would also like to thank Mike Harlow for all of his work as Acting Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar since January.

Simon Hayes said:

I am delighted to be appointed to this role at such an exciting and important time for HM Land Registry. I look forward to working with everyone within the organisation as we continue on our transformation journey, delivering outstanding service to our customers, and benefits for all our partners.

Simon Hayes biography

Simon Hayes is Director of Visas & Citizenship, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). UKVI is part of the Home Office and is responsible for managing the United Kingdom’s border and immigration systems. As Director of V&C, Simon’s responsibilities include oversight of all visitor, tourist, work, study and citizenship routes, as well as the immigration sponsorship system.

Simon joined the Home Office in 1997. He held a number of positions across police, criminal justice, and immigration policy, and spent two years as Private Secretary to the Deputy Home Secretary, Paul (now Lord) Boateng. From 2005 to 2008, he served as Chief of Staff to the CEO of the UK Border Agency. In 2008 he became UKBA’s first Regional Director for the Americas, based in Washington DC. He returned to the UK in 2012 and became UKVI’s International Director, responsible for the overseas visa operation, our global network of visa application and decision-making centres, and our international migration partnerships, before taking on his current role in 2014.

Notes for editors

• The Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar of HM Land Registry is a public appointment made by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It follows an open competition
• the appointment was made under the previous parliament by Lord Henley in his role as Under Secretary of State for Business with responsibility for HM Land Registry. The role is currently held by Lord Duncan
• Simon will take up his post on 11 November 2019. He replaces Mike Harlow who has been Acting Chief Executive and Chief Land registrar since January 2019
• Simon Hayes is currently Director of Visas & Citizenship, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) which is part of the Home Office
• HM Land Registry’s mission is to guarantee and protect property rights in England and Wales
• HM Land Registry is a non-ministerial government department created in 1862. Its running costs are covered by the fees paid by the users of its services. Its ambition is to become the world’s leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data
• HM Land Registry safeguards land and property ownership valued at £7 trillion, enabling more than £1 trillion worth of personal and commercial lending to be secured against property across England and Wales
• Find further information about HM Land Registry