Neil Sachdev
Biography
Nilesh (Neil) Sachdev joined HM Land Registry in 2022 as Chair of the HM Land Registry Board. He is an experienced Chair and Non-Executive Director with a strong track record of leading complex organisations through transformation, delivering public value, and driving sustainable growth.
He currently serves as Chair of Natural Resources Wales, HM Land Registry and East West Rail Company, operating at the intersection of infrastructure, environment, and economic growth. Across these roles, he works closely with government, industry and communities to deliver large-scale outcomes in areas including climate resilience, housing, transport and innovation.
Neil is also a Non-Executive Commissioner at the Forestry Commission and a Board Member of Forestry England. He chairs the Governing Council of the University of Warwick, following a decade of service as Treasurer and Council member.
His executive career includes senior leadership roles at J Sainsbury, where he was Group Property Director, and a 28-year career at Tesco, where he served on the Stores Board with responsibility for UK property and operations. Across both organisations, he led major programmes in development, operational performance and early adoption of sustainability initiatives at scale.
Neil was awarded an MBE for services to energy efficiency and sustainability. He is known for his clear, values-led leadership, his focus on outcomes over process, and his ability to build high-performing, collaborative boards in complex public and commercial environments.
Forestry Commissioner
Forestry Commissioners have a number of specific statutory duties and powers, summarised in the Forestry Act as:
- promoting the interests of forestry
- the development of afforestation
- the production and supply of timber and other forest products
In practice, these mainly relate to providing incentives (grants), regulation though controls on felling, plant health issues and managing the public forest estate.
The Commissioners have a legal duty to seek a reasonable balance between the production and supply of timber and the interests of conservation. In promoting the multiple benefits of forestry, they also seek to take careful account of people’s needs and wishes, including local communities.
Non-executive Chair
The HM Land Registry Board Chair works closely with the Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar in leading the development of the organisation. The role has responsibility for ensuring that proper governance practices are followed and performance is monitored effectively.