David O’Leary is an Executive Director of the Home Builders Federation, overseeing policy and external relations, including leading on engagement with government. He joined HBF in 2013 and became a Board member in 2023. He has led on a range of work including the development of research and policy measures to address the long-term decline of SMEs in the sector and proposals for initiatives to support first-time buyers. David represented HBF in negotiations with the Government on the Building Safety Self-Remediation Pledge which was subsequently signed by more than 50 developers and headed up engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority through the course of its 12-month Market Study on Housebuilding during 2023/24. This work included authoring a 75-year history of the home building industry.
Before joining HBF, David held a range of roles, advising national politicians on housing and culture policy and spent time in local government where he worked on business rate reform, housing policy and government relations.