Jamie Ratcliff joins Social as associate to enhance strategy, partnerships and public affairs offering across housing and local government 

• Jamie Ratcliff joins Social’s London team as an associate from April, bringing exceptional housing sector knowledge. 

• Jamie was most recently chief communities and sustainability officer at G15 housing association, Sovereign Network Group (SNG). 

• He is currently the deputy chair of The Housing Forum, the only organisation that represents the full breadth of the housing supply chain. 

• Social’s London office launched in 2020 with an ESG, sustainability and impact specialism. It is headed up by former editor of Social Housing, Luke Cross.  

• The London team works with clients including: USS – the country’s biggest private pension fund – Westminster City Council, global real estate consultancy JLL and leading social housing funder, The Housing Finance Corporation.   

• For the last three years, it has been ranked as a Top 10 ESG consultancy by PRWeek. 

One of the highest profile names in UK housing has joined the London team of purpose-driven communications agency Social.  

Jamie Ratcliff joins Social’s London team as an associate from April, bringing exceptional sector knowledge in housing strategy, partnerships, community engagement, sustainability and public affairs. 

Jamie was most recently chief communities and sustainability officer at G15 housing association, Sovereign Network Group (SNG), and is former assistant director for housing at the Greater London Authority, during which time he worked closely with Deputy Mayors Richard Blakeway, now the Housing Ombudsman and then James Murray MP, now Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. 

He is also currently the deputy chair of The Housing Forum, the only organisation that represents the full breadth of the housing supply chain, with members including homebuilders, advisors, housing associations, local councils, manufacturers and suppliers.  

Jamie said: “I’m excited to be joining Luke and the Social team at what marks a critical moment for UK housing, and the country as a whole. 

“Focused communications and engagement are essential for housing leaders looking to tell their story effectively, engage with communities and have political influence at both a local and national level. Social’s purpose is very much aligned with mine and I’m excited about helping Luke and the team as they continue their fantastic and impactful work.” 

The appointment marks the latest chapter for Social’s London business, which launched in 2020 to provide impact-driven strategic communications and consultancy, and a dedicated ESG and sustainability specialism in housing and the wider built environment. 

Based in Liverpool Street and working nationally, it now has a team of five, supported by a network of expert consultants and partners and has been ranked a top 10 ESG Consultancy by PR Week for three years running. 

The team – led by Luke Cross, former editor of Social Housing magazine, director at Ocean Media and finance editor at Construction News – has worked with a host of housing associations, large financial institutions, local authorities and real estate firms, in areas from ESG strategy through to strategic communications and stakeholder engagement.   

Luke said: “I’m over the moon to be bringing Jamie on board. He is extremely well respected across housing and London’s political scene and I know he will bring invaluable insights and advice to the team and our clients. 

“I’m confident that having Jamie on board cements our position as an effective and fast-growing strategic communications consultancy with integrity, impact and unrivalled sector insight at our core.” 

The appointment also comes as Social expands its expert public consultation and community engagement offering, which operates across England and Scotland, into London and the South-east. 

Social’s client book has grown in recent months, and the London office saw its turnover increase by 70 per cent in 22-23, and 35 per cent in 23-24. The team provides strategic communications support to JLL, Bromford and the Shared Ownership Council.  

The office has specialisms in strategic comms and C-level counsel; ESG, sustainability and impact comms and strategy; Brand, design and digital marketing; Social media; and consultation, planning and community engagement.