Naked truth

Closed Circuit has learned that one north east landlord’s chief executive has a surprisingly revealing past as part of a Spencer Tunick installation in Newcastle in 2005.

For those unfamiliar with the artist’s work, Mr Tunick enlists thousands of members of the public to pose naked for photographs in the world’s cities. The woman in question, who did not wish to be identified, let slip to Closed Circuit that she had joined the throngs without thongs in Newcastle in the early hours of a Sunday morning in July 2005.

Apparently the picture could be seen at Newcastle’s airport for months afterwards - although thankfully her modesty was protected because of the fog on the Tyne.

The housing sector will be sad to see the back of one of its more popular figures after Tom Murtha’s retirement as chief executive of Midland Heart was confirmed last week.

But Mr Murtha would appear to be readying himself to go out in style. According to a letter from Midland Heart to the massed ranks of the fourth estate, he ‘will emit office’ some time in the summer.

The details of how, where and why Tom plans to ‘emit’ his office are sketchy, but it is sure to make a spectacular show. It could be ideal if The London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are looking for something different for the opening ceremony.

Any go-getting director at a housing association noted for innovation would surely be delighted at being compared with a famous political figure.

Wayne Gethings, director of asset management at Wrekin Housing Trust, not only has his team onside but other landlords beating down his door for a chat about how he does things and invitations to talk at events across the country.

Such leadership would surely evoke images of Churchill, Roosevelt or even Charles de Gaulle, no? Not quite. ‘What with his hair, jokes and the way he talks, he’s the sort of Boris Johnson of Dudley,’ one staff member told Closed Circuit.