The Dispute Service (TDS) is set for a major overhaul with the appointment of new CEO Jacqueline Starr. The leadership change comes just as the sector is grappling with significant regulatory changes following the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, which has imposed stricter requirements on landlords and letting agents.
Jacqueline Starr will take over from Steve Harriott, who has led TDS for 16 years, at the end of 2026. The organisation plays a vital role in the UK housing market as one of only three government-approved schemes that landlords and letting agents must use to protect tenant deposits.
Under Harriott's tenure, TDS expanded its dispute resolution services and invested heavily in digital technology, making it more efficient. As TDS navigates these challenging times, Starr brings a wealth of experience from her role as CEO and Executive Chair at the Rail Delivery Group since 2020, where she oversaw organisational transformations.
Starr will be taking on this new challenge amidst a backdrop of increased regulatory scrutiny in the property sector. The introduction of stricter measures for landlords has heightened compliance requirements, making services like TDS' more crucial than ever to ensure both tenant protection and landlord adherence to legal obligations.
The shift at the top of TDS reflects broader changes in the property sector, where digital transformation and increased regulatory demands are redefining the way business is done. As one of the leading voices in tenancy deposit protection, Starr's expertise will be instrumental in guiding TDS through these turbulent times.