Lord Best is President of the Local Government Association: a Trustee of The Tree Council: Chairman of Hanover Housing Association: Chairman of the TPO Council since April 2009.

He is Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People: Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Urban Development: Treasurer of the All Party Group on Housing: Vice President of the Town and Country Planning Association: Chairman of the Private Rented Sector Policy Forum: he Chaired the Housing and Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI): Chaired the Commission on the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland: Chaired the CLG/LGA Housing Commission: Deputy Chairman, Westminster City Council Standards Committee: Patron of the Housing Association Charitable Trust: He has previously acted as Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and as Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.