Dame Karen was unanimously voted in by the Board on Monday 4th November 2024. She was Member of Parliament from 1997-2010 for Regent’s Park and Kensington North and then for Westminster North from 2010-2024, the constituency with the highest proportion of private renters in the country.

A long-time champion for renters, Karen authored and led the Private Member’s Bill which became the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2019. She served in a number of roles in both government and opposition, including as Transport Minister and as Shadow Minister in the Departments of Education and Work and Pensions. Dame Karen is currently working in governance roles for regeneration and development projects in London.

Dame Karen joins Generation Rent’s chief executive Ben Twomey in leading the organisation at a vital time for renters. The UK Government is progressing its Renters’ Rights Bill through parliament, which will abolish arbitrary Section 21 evictions and introduce a national registration scheme for landlords in England – both policies Generation Rent has long campaigned for.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Housing Bill is setting out a long-term plan for regulating rents, Wales is considering its approach to fair rents and adequate housing, and Northern Ireland has an upcoming Private Members’ Bill to improve renting.

Karen Buck, newly appointed chair of Generation Rent’s Board, said: “It’s a privilege to join Generation Rent when renters are so high up the political and media agenda. This is in no small part thanks to the organisation, as the only non-profit dedicated to empowering private tenants to be heard in the corridors of power all over the UK. I look forward to working with the brilliant staff team and board to make sure that every renter lives in a secure, quality and affordable home.”

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, added: “We are delighted to welcome Dame Karen Buck to the Generation Rent team, where her vast experience will be of huge benefit to our cause. The pressures on renters right now are enormous, but so too are the opportunities for change. With Karen’s leadership and expertise, I am confident that Generation Rent will continue to persuade governments to improve the lives of renters across the UK. Karen absolutely shares our vision that renting can, must and will get better.”