A former adviser to John Prescott has been named as an executive director at the new Homes and Communities Agency. David Lunts, who was Mr Prescott's senior regeneration adviser at the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has joined the HCA as regional director for London and the Greater London Authority. Mr Lunts is one of nine regional directors who, alongside three corporate directors, will make up the HCA's senior team when it begins operating in December. The directors will work under HCA chief executive, Sir Bob Kerslake, the former chief executive of Sheffield City Council. The HCA will become the national housing and regeneration agency for England and combines the work of English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation's investment arm and the delivery functions of the Department for Communities and Local Government. It will manage an investment budget of £5bn a year, and is charged with regenerating local communities. Mr Kerslake said: ‘I've recruited a team of talented individuals, passionate about delivery, with outstanding leadership qualities who share my vision for delivering thriving places where people want, and can afford, to live.'