Pat Hayes was appointed Managing Director of Be First, a pioneering new urban regeneration company, in August 2017. Be First is Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration arm of the Council, but operates independently with a mission to accelerate growth. Be First aims to capitalise on the borough’s position as London’s hottest investment and development opportunity to deliver 50,000 new homes and 20,000 jobs in the next 20 years.
Previously, Pat was Executive Director of Regeneration & Housing with Ealing Council during which time the borough became one of the most successful in London at attracting in new developments and transforming its public housing stock.
Pat was responsible for bringing forward the Southall Waterside development with the Berkeley Group, South Acton Estate with Countryside Properties and the delivery of Ealing Film Works with St George. He oversaw the evolution of the Council’s housing company Broadway Living as a major build to rent developer.
Before joining Ealing, Pat worked for Transport for London as Director of Borough Partnerships and prior to that, spent four years at Lewisham Council as Executive Director for Regeneration and Environment. Pat has also worked for five other boroughs during a 25-year career in local government.
Outside work Pat cycle races, has an allotment and watches Leyton Orient Football Club.