Gavin Smart CIHCM is chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Gavin joined CIH in 2012 as director of policy and practice and was made deputy chief executive in 

2014 and chief executive in December 2019.

Before joining CIH, Gavin was assistant director of research and futures at the National Housing 

Federation from 2004 to 2012. From 1999 to 2004 he held research roles at the then-Office of the 

Deputy Prime Minister, before which he was a research officer at NHF.

Born in Cardiff, Gavin studied public administration at the Polytechnic of Wales. He then gained an 

MSc in sociology at the University of Bristol, where he worked as a research associate on projects for the Department of the Environment, Housing Corporation, Scottish Office, and local authorities.

Gavin lives with his family in Northamptonshire and when work allows enjoys running, watching rugby, and walking his oversized rescue dogs.