Denton will join Homes England later this year following the departure of Nick Walkley in February.
Gordon More, who has been acting as chief executive, delayed his retirement plans to support the agency pending this appointment.
Prior to joining Hyde Group, initially as group finance director in 2017, Denton worked in a broad range of strategic leadership roles, amassing 26 years of pan-European real estate experience.
He has worked in strategic leadership and board roles at large scale global real estate, banking and not for profit organisations.
Before joining the housing sector, Denton spent his early career in investment banking and then moved to global real estate investment management firm Starwood Capital.
In addition, he has also held senior EMEA real estate investment banking roles at BNP Paribas, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Eurohypo and WestImmo.
Denton is also a non-executive real estate IC member for Eurazeo, the Global Investment Company.
Peter Freeman, chair of Homes England, said: “Peter brings two powerful qualities to Homes England.
“He has deep experience of real estate banking and investment, including raising funds and managing portfolios across Europe.
“This will be invaluable in raising additional capital from the private sector to support Homes England’s government funded work.
“Secondly, in leaving a successful career in the commercial sector to join a major housing association, first as chief financial officer and then as chief executive, Peter has displayed an enormous personal commitment to marrying financial discipline and social purpose.
“I have no doubt that he will be an outstanding leader, with his unique skillset helping us build the homes the country needs.”
Denton added: “The government has an ambitious agenda of not just more homes but decent, affordable, safe, energy efficient ones that sit well in their community and landscape.
“I cannot wait to help realise that ambition.”
