Ian Swithenbank retires from the Land Data Board

Ian Swithenbank, Deputy Chair of the Land Data Board, is stepping down from the role after 20 years.  

Ian brought to the Board a wealth of experience from a long career in local government, where he held several senior leadership roles. He spent 44 years serving Northumberland County Council and was Leader there for 9 years. His work focused on improving service delivery and efficiency for local communities across the region. 

Ian also held a range of board-level roles at the Improvement & Development Agency (IDeA (IDeA), the Association of Country Councils, Northumbria Heathcare Trust and the Local Government Association, leading efficiency initiatives, strategic partnerships and representing the rights and needs of local authority staff to Ministers.

As Chair of the IDeA, and with a keen interest in the value of local authority data, he played a key role in establishing Land Data as a Community Interest Company in 2005. 

During his time on the Land Data Board, Ian championed the importance of accurate, accessible and authoritative land and property data, and advocated the essential role of local authorities in managing and maintaining it. 

Speaking about his departure, Ian said:  

“It has been a privilege to serve on the Land Data Board and to work alongside such a dedicated group of professionals. I’m excited to see how Land Data and the National Land Information Service evolve over the coming years to meet the changing needs of the market.”  

“Local authority land and property data underpin conveyancing searches and the home buying and selling process more widely. This data needs to be protected and it needs to be properly funded in order that consumers receive the best information possible before they buy a new home. The Land Data team are working hard to do exactly this, and I hope to see central government and industry support them.” 

Ian leaves with the Board’s warmest thanks and best wishes for the future.