Grenfell survivors and bereaved relatives have criticised the “outrageous decision” to hire a director who oversaw cost-cutting at Grenfell Tower in a £150,000-a-year senior council housing role.
Laura Johnson, the director of housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) at the time of the 2017 Grenfell fire, has been appointed the permanent director of development and property at the Barnet Group, which manages the borough’s 13,000 council homes.
The Grenfell inquiry found that, in her previous role, Johnson pushed for a new contractor to carry out the tower’s renovation works on a lower budget, which ultimately meant metal cladding was swapped for combustible plastic-filled panels to save money.
It also found she slowed down the installation of self-closing mechanisms on fire doors in the tower for “financial and practical reasons”, despite warnings from the London fire brigade that their absence compromised fire escape routes.
Ed Daffarn, who escaped from the 16th floor of the tower after repeatedly warning about serious fire risks at Grenfell, said: “It is an absolutely outrageous decision.
“The fact that we, as bereaved survivors, haven’t received any justice nine years after the fire, and yet the people that were involved in senior decision-making are able to carry on working in the social housing sector, have responsibility for health and safety, and receive massive salaries – it feels so disrespectful.
“If I was a resident in a Barnet council home, I’d be absolutely petrified.”
Johnson had been working in her role at the Barnet Group on an interim basis before she was appointed permanently in August with a salary of £157,078.
A spokesperson for the Barnet Group said she was the “strongest candidate” in a competitive field.
“We were aware of the Grenfell inquiry findings and considered them carefully during the recruitment process,” they said. “We also took into account Ms Johnson’s professional experience, subsequent performance, references, qualifications and overall suitability for the role.
“Following a robust and publicly advertised recruitment process, we concluded that she was the strongest candidate and legally eligible to hold the position.”
Grenfell United, the group representing the bereaved and survivors, has urged Barnet Group – which is owned by Barnet council – to reconsider its decision to hire Johnson, saying it showed “a staggering disregard for the inquiry’s findings”.
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“She should not be in a position of power,” Daffarn said. “No one named in the Grenfell inquiry should be while we are still awaiting the outcome of the police investigation.”
The Metropolitan police said it was seeking charges against 57 individuals and 20 companies in relation to the fire, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying it expected to make decisions on charges by June 2027, the 10th anniversary of the disaster.
“Although the police have not publicly identified those individuals, it is extraordinary that Barnet council would make this appointment permanent before the criminal justice process arising from Grenfell has concluded,” Grenfell United said.
A spokesperson for the Barnet Group said: “Barnet Homes and Barnet council will not discuss matters relating to members of staff which took place during previous employment.
“Our thoughts remain with the survivors and family and friends of all those affected by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire. The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority.”
