5 questions…

1 How do you feel to be taking up the reins at English Partnerships on 2 May?

I feel a great weight of responsibility. I am anxious that I don't disappoint, but I believe I have got a lot of good ideas. I am very much aware that in order to deliver you need to have both the public and the private side on board; you need integrated delivery. EP has led the way in a lot of things and will continue to be the standard bearer.

2 You worked at housebuilder Crest Nicholson for 33 years. How would you sum up your achievements there?

I think I have had an opportunity to make more of a difference than most people get in their career. I feel sad to be leaving Crest. I will miss the staff and all the people who have put such trust in me over the years. This [the chief executive's job at EP] was the kind of opportunity that comes along only once in a career. The challenge of leading the delivery of some of the UK's most complex regeneration projects was simply irresistible, and I look forward to keeping our focus very sharp in the next three years.

3 What are the initial objectives going to be in your new role?

The big issues are delivering volume, quality and environmental standards. Getting those three together is a formidable challenge. I hope I'll be able to improve the quality of life for all the people getting a raw deal in this country. I want to help deliver more, better quality homes for people and, indirectly, to set a standard that is aspirational. There are a lot of people in this country who have had a poor deal.

4 How do you think your appointment will be received by the housebuilding industry?

I hope that it will see it as a further step by the government to engage with them positively. I can reassure the housebuilding industry that it is not the role of EP to crowd out the market or to be a developer, but to facilitate. I am here to help the private sector to deliver, and I want to do that by example and by moving to generating a better quality, sustainable product.

5 What do you make of recent suggestions that the Housing Corporation and EP may merge?

I've accepted the job of being chief executive of EP and I am going to give it all my time and attention. The Housing Corporation and EP must continue to work together.