Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Gov.UK Housing. Read the original article for full details.

Bill Butler Appointed as First Chair of Local Audit Office

Bill Butler has been appointed by the government as the first chair of the Local Audit Office (LAO). His five-year term begins on 1 July 2026, following confirmation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The appointment was announced by Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness. Bill Butler was selected through an open public appointment process and was endorsed by the HCLG Select Committee on 19 June 2026.

Butler brings over two decades of public sector leadership experience. He has previously served as chair of Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) and is currently chair of Propertymark Ltd, the professional body for property agents. His background also includes non-executive director roles at the Law Society, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board, where he chaired relevant audit or finance committees. Butler has also held senior management roles, including chief executive of the Security Industry Authority until 2015, and director positions at the Gambling Commission, Healthcare Commission, and Audit Commission.

The Local Audit Office is being established to address the local audit crisis and strengthen the local audit system. Butler’s appointment is relevant to UK letting agents and inventory clerks due to his ongoing role as chair of Propertymark Ltd, which represents property professionals across the sector.