Iain Banfield has been appointed permanent chief executive and chief land registrar of HM Land Registry, the government announced on 24 July 2026.
The appointment follows his period as interim chief executive, a role he has held since September 2025. He will formally take up the permanent post on 1 September 2026.
Mr Banfield joined HM Land Registry in February 2019 as chief financial officer. The government said he brings experience from that role, his interim leadership of the organisation and earlier senior finance and leadership posts across government.
Before joining HM Land Registry, he spent two and a half years in the Department for International Trade, first as deputy director for strategic finance and then as acting finance director. His previous roles also included finance director for UK Trade & Investment, finance business partnering, and positions in the Shareholder Executive and the former Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The government said the appointment was approved after an open and fair recruitment process. The chief executive role is a Senior Civil Service position, with the successful candidate appointed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to the role of chief land registrar. In this case, the appointment was made by Baroness Taylor on behalf of Steve Reed.
HM Land Registry safeguards land and property ownership across England and Wales. The government said the organisation supports the property market, home buying and wider ambitions for housing and economic growth.