Pat Ritchie

Pat Ritchie is an experienced senior leader in economic development, housing, and property, and is Chair of the Government Property Agency (GPA).

Pat was Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council for over eight years, where she notably secured the multi-million-pound investment deal to bring Legal & General to Newcastle’s flagship ‘Helix’ development and led on negotiations to secure a devolution deal for the North of Tyne Mayoral Combined Authority where she was the first head of paid service. Pat led the city’s response to the pandemic and oversaw the Newcastle Covid Recovery Plan including an ambitious £50m plan to transform the city centre.

Pat was appointed as our Chair in January 2020. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Leadership Centre and a member of Newcastle University Council.

She is a former Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England) and former Deputy Chief Executive of the One North East Regional Development Agency.

Pat was awarded her CBE in January 2021 for services to Local Government and public service reform.