Suspended duo exit association as interest grows in merger
Eastwood leaves Three Valleys
The chief executive and finance director of Three Valleys Housing have both left the housing association, following an investigation into allegations of staff bullying.
Paul Eastwood and Nasreen Hussain were suspended from their jobs by the 5,800 home association’s board since January.
This week TVH confirmed both have now left under ‘agreed circumstances’. TVH refused to comment on what these were or whether the chief executive and finance director had been sacked or had left of their own accord. TVH has continually stressed that the suspensions were no admission of any wrongdoing.
The departures come after the Tenant Services Authority placed TVH under supervision earlier this month due to concerns about the association’s governance and management.
Following the suspensions, the association’s board decided a merger with another social landlord would best suit the needs of its tenants.
Greg Lomax, chair of Aldwyck Housing Association, has been appointed as interim chief executive. Dilip Kavi, former group finance director at LHA-ASRA, has stepped in as temporary finance director.
Bob Hingston, chair of TVH’s board, said: ‘These interim appointments give us the capacity to run the organisation effectively and ensure there is no disruption in services to our tenants.’
TVH’s troubles began last year when it was told by the TSA to commission a governance review.
According to sources close to the situation, there has already been a large amount of interest from associations keen to merge with TVH.
Inside Housing was unable to contact either Mr Eastwood or Ms Hussain at the time of going to press.
Paul Eastwood - A year at TVH
- January 2009 Paul Eastwood appointed chief executive
- November 2009 TSA asks Three Valleys Homes to commission a governance review
- December 2009 TVH faces allegations of ‘a bullying management culture’ following a survey of staff by union Ucatt
- January 2010 Paul Eastwood suspended
- February 2010 TVH placed under supervision by Tenant Services Authority
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Readers' comments (9)
Byronboy | 19/02/2010 11:09 am
At least the future is looking clearer now that the CEO & Finance Director have left. However, as a TVH tenant and 'stakeholder' I shall be incensed if their departure was 'at a price'.
Compensation packages have to be paid out of the tenants rents and there are a million and one things that need to be done rather than line the pockets of such people. From my viewpoint they were overpaid anyway, and should have been told to 'walk'.
Sadly the association still has a Chair who, for at least 4 months denied that anything was wrong, and seemingly sticks to his claim that these departures are not a declaration of guilt. Why doesn't he admit that he backed the wrong horse, and do the honourable thing?
The Board needs further strengthening by the appointment of a leader who can actually assess and weigh things up. Fall on your sword Mr Chairman!!
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Peter | 22/02/2010 10:52 am
So the Chair has become the interim Chief Executive and the two main 'culprits' have got away scott free perhaps with a golden handshake, so they can go away and join some other organisation.
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Byronboy | 22/02/2010 1:26 pm
Sorry, Peter you have it wrong. The The interim CEO, appointed by the TSA, is Greg Lomax who is presently chair of Aldwick Housing Association, and the post of Finance Director has been taken on by Dilip Kavi on a temporary basis.
You are correct though inasmuch as the outgoing miscreants could indeed go on to another unsuspecting association and repeat the exercise. There could be a call for a 'National Register' which can be used by Board Recruitment panels as a guidance tool. There is no doubt in my mind that, had the panel at TVH carried out a simple reference check in Dec 2008/Jan 2009, or had such information at their disposal, the eventual choice of CEO would have been different.
Sad really as this whole issue has cost TVH tenants dearly.
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Stanley | 22/02/2010 7:38 pm
Bryonboy like your comments, but is it not the case the Chair, greg lomax and paul eastwood are all in it together.
TSA now need to sort it once and for all, and rescue the hard work thats been put in and protect the excellent prospects TVH got at the last AC inspection
HELP THE STAFF AND PROTECT THE TENANTS
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Byronboy | 23/02/2010 11:36 am
You may well be correct Stanley, proving it is the big problem. As all three of the people you named have been TSA's 'Flavour of the Month' at some time or other, why leave out the regulator in your claim?
I just feel that, in order to sort out the whole of this sordid mess, whoever has the reins need to clear the deck altogether, and remove ANYONE who had ANY involvement in the pertinent issues, including those who voiced their support as strongly as the current Chair of TVH has.
You are right in refering to the solid work performed by the association, and it is a great pity that senior management didn't find it possible to rally round the staff members and gain even higher acheivments. That afterall is what managing is all about.
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Stanley | 23/02/2010 9:20 pm
Byronboy Agreed, need to clear the decks (some anyway) and the chair needs to do the honorable thing and RESIGN and take all his cronies with him. Then TVH can move forward and deliver the service residents deserve. The core team is still there FOR NOW!!!!!!
TSA: dont let the suffering staff and residents down ACT NOW before more damage is done.
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Stanley | 01/03/2010 5:55 pm
its still as though mr eastwood is pulling the strings. today mr hingston as issued a letter to staff that mr lomax has been appointed interim general manager by the board ( although Inside housing announced this 3 days before the board meeting, how can this be right?) Also mr lomax is charged with putting in new a new structure to improve efficiency (what about EXCELLENT PROSPECTS TVH already had, those staff are still their). And to top it all staff have been instrcuted NOT to contact the TSA with concerns, there regulator. How can these people remain at the healm, its not right.
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Byronboy | 04/03/2010 4:45 pm
Stanley - you can never be certain of anything when people go on an ego trip. Way back in Sept '09 the newly appointed Chair spoke as though he was 'the second coming'. He was in for the 'long haul' and claimed that he would see TVH out of the mess it was in.
From that point he continued to back Paul Eastwood (CEO)right up to the minute that the Board (with or without the Chairman's support) suspended the CEO & Finance Director.
The board's action came about due to further claims of bullying which were highly substantiated. The Chair could no longer claim that the 'Staff were content' at TVH, could he?
Interesting to note that when TVH were placed into Supervision status in 2006 the same Mr Hingston had previously taken over the Chairmanship on a temporary basis. Was he there for the 'long-haul on that occasion I wonder, and who relieved him of the position?
TVH desperately need a strong, experienced person in the Chair who can really see the wood for the trees. They had one once and, by and large, the Tenants were pleased about it.
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Bill Pearson | 05/10/2010 11:46 am
If that had been our HA Green Vale it would not have made any difference as the executives can remove the chair and board members under company rules.
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