Uniting the UK’s leading retirement home providers
The Retirement Housing Group is the only membership organisation representing the whole of the UK’s retirement housing sector. We act as a collective voice for our members, influencing local and national policy and promoting best practice across the industry.
Our mission
Our mission is to be the ambassador for the whole retirement housing sector and show decision-makers how it can help meet the challenges and opportunities presented by the UK’s ageing population. We also want to:
- Work with Government at all levels to increase choice, quality and affordability in the sector.
- Support innovation and promote good practice in the sector.
- Work closely with our partner organisations to build understanding and awareness for consumers about the role and importance of this important form of housing.
Who we represent
We’re the voice of the UK retirement home sector, bringing together organisations from across the industry and shaping policy. Our membership is open to all public and private bodies involved in retirement housing and we represent members working across a wide range of disciplines, from architects and developers to management companies and service providers.
Founded in 1995 as part of the Home Builders Federation, we became an independent organisation in 2011, allowing us to focus on tackling the issues affecting our industry.
Meet the team
Our Board members
Paul Teverson, Chair
Senior Director, Cratus Group
Paul is the Chair of the RHG. He has worked as an adviser to a senior MP and for consultancies providing communications support for several UK housebuilders and national infrastructure companies. He was previously Director of Communications at McCarthy & Stone.
Emma Webster
Chief Executive Elderly Accommodation Counsel
Emma’s role as Chief Executive of the EAC, follows her position at Pegasus Homes where she led on national policy, as well as political and community engagement activities. She is a Chartered Practitioner of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and served as a local Councillor, holding Cabinet roles in Highways & Transport, Regeneration, Community Safety & Housing.
Shane Paull
COO, McCarthy Stone
Shane is Chief Operating Officer at McCarthy Stone and chairs its Group Investment Committee. Under his remit he oversees land acquisition, design, planning and build. He also has executive responsibility for site Health and Safety. Shane has been with the business for over 25 years originally starting as a Land Buyer and progressed to Divisional Managing Director a role he held for 11 years prior to his appointment as COO in 2023.
Chris Thompson, Treasurer
Managing Director, Beechcroft Developments Ltd
Chris Thompson began his career with specialist retirement housing developer Beechcroft in the 1980s and returned to the company in 1999. As Managing Director, he has been instrumental in shaping Beechcroft’s growth, with a focus on site selection and the design of both new developments and heritage conversions. His work centres on delivering high-quality schemes in prime locations across southern England.
Tim Spencer
Head of Planning, Pegasus Homes
Tim is a Chartered Town Planner and Head of Planning at Pegasus Homes, leading on planning strategy, policy and design matters at Pegasus. With a consulting background and a specialism in retirement housing Tim has advised extensively on a wide range of later living developments throughout the UK and appeared regularly as an expert witness at planning inquiries.
Simon Cawte
Group Communications Director, Churchill Living
Simon Cawte is Group Communications Director at Churchill Living where he heads up their national communications and public affairs activity. He was previously Director of Public Affairs for Battersea Power Station.
Sarah Walker
Partner, Travers Smith LLP
Sarah is a Partner in the Real Estate team at Travers Smith, specialising in the legal structures underpinning the investment into, and development of, housing and healthcare for older people. With extensive experience gained over many years working with investors, developers and operators, Sarah is recognised as a trusted adviser within the senior living sector.