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Housing Moves: our round-up of senior sector appointments in April 2025
Inside Housing’s monthly round-up of top-level housing sector appointments details the main moves in April 2025
Inside Housing’s monthly round-up of top-level housing sector appointments details the main moves in April 2025 #UKhousingHousing Moves compiles all the senior housing appointments in one place every month.
To tell us about your appointments, email gene.robertson@insidehousing.co.uk
Housing association and council moves
Maxine Espley has been appointed chief executive of Hightown Housing Association, replacing David Bogle, who retired after 30 years leading the organisation. Ms Espley was chief operating officer at GreenSquareAccord. Also, Hightown’s director of finance, David Skinner, has announced that he will be retiring from the role in late summer 2025 after more than 15 years at the organisation.
Pippa Fleetwood-Read will be the new chief executive at Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association. Ms Fleetwood-Read was managing director of operations at Notting Hill Genesis.
Jitinder Takhar has started as chief executive of Ocean Housing Group, replacing Mark Gardner on his retirement. Ms Takhar was chief executive of Homes for Lambeth and Local Space.
Hillcrest has appointed John Alexander as its new chief executive, replacing Angela Linton on her retirement. Mr Alexander previously led Dundee City Council.
Livv Housing Group has announced that chief executive Leann Hearne will be stepping down to prioritise her family. Ms Hearne joined the organisation, then known as First Ark, in 2018.
Trevor Morrow, chief executive of Red Kite Community Housing, is retiring, having led the organisation since its formation 13 years ago. Alan Keers, deputy group chief executive, is deputising until an interim chief executive steps into the role.
David Ripley has been announced as chief operating officer at Stonewater. Mr Ripley joins from Thirteen, where he is executive director of customer services.
Anchor has announced Julie Wittich as its new executive director of property and assets. Ms Wittich was chief operating officer at Accent.
Magenta Living has announced Wayne Cole as chief compliance and sustainability officer. Mr Cole was group director of compliance at Places for People.
Tabitha Kassem has been appointed chief governance and risk officer at Notting Hill Genesis, a newly created role. Previously, Ms Kassem was interim general counsel and director of governance at Heylo.
Welsh housing association Barcud has welcomed two new members to its leadership team: Sara Woodall as director of communities and Deina Hockenhull as group director of people and insights.
Torus Group has promoted John Barrow to managing director of HMS, its in-house repairs, maintenance and construction contractor. Mr Barrow was construction director at HMS.
Plus Dane Housing has announced Max Steinberg is its new chair, succeeding Sir Peter Fahy. Mr Steinberg is former head of Liverpool Vision and has served as chair of several organisations’ boards throughout his career, including Riverside Housing.
Emma Robertson has been appointed finance director at Ayrshire Housing. Ms Robertson was chief financial officer at modular construction company The Wee Housing Company. Ayrshire Housing has also appointed Scott Cunningham as director of assets and compliance.
Dan Thwaites has been appointed director of compliance, operations and growth at Chisel Housing. Previously, Mr Thwaites was head of housing and growth at Capital Letters.
Tanusha Waters is joining Bexley Council as deputy director of housing and strategic planning. She joins from Harlow Council, where most recently she was assistant director of planning and environment.
Bernicia has announced Michael Dent as director of business change. Mr Dent was originally brought into Bernicia in a consultancy role as project director of customer service excellence.
Platform Housing Group has promoted Tamara Fyffe to director of enterprise solutions, from her previous role as director of PMO and programmes. Lee Vernalls has been promoted to director of compliance and commercial operations, from his previous role as assistant director of business development and growth.
United Living Group has announced Claire Kershaw as chief executive of its subsidiary United Living Property Services. It’s a promotion for Ms Kershaw, who was previously managing director.
David Richardson has started as head of assets at Epping Forest District Council, replacing John Taphouse, who is moving to Bristol City Council. Mr Richardson was assistant director of assets and estates at Cross Keys Homes.
Accent Group has appointed Nigel Wright as its new chair, taking over when Tom Miskell retires. Mr Wright previously served as group chair of Progress Housing Group.
Hellens Residential has announced Joe Docherty as a non-executive director. Mr Docherty was formerly deputy chief executive at Home Group, and is currently chair of the Northern Powergrid Foundation.
Wandle has confirmed the appointment of Nadira Hussain and Fiona Hollingsworth to its board. Ms Hussain has worked in IT and digital at several organisations, including Tower Hamlets and Enfield councils. Ms Hollingsworth is director of growth and partnerships at CHP.
Jon Milward has been appointed board member and chair of the major projects committee at Sovereign Network Group. Mr Milward is managing director at Milward Associates.
Other moves
Homes England has appointed Pat Ritchie as its interim chair, when Peter Freeman steps down. Ms Ritchie will be familiar to the sector as she was chief executive of the old Homes and Communities Agency, and has also been chief executive of Newcastle City Council. She is expected to stay in the interim position for up to 18 months.
Sarah Elliott will be the new chief executive of Shelter, replacing Tim Gutteridge, who has served as interim chief executive at the charity since the departure of Polly Neate in March. Ms Elliott is currently head of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Crystal Hicks has been appointed president and incoming chair of Women in Social Housing (WISH), following her term as vice-president. Ms Hicks was one of the founding members of the WISH North East board, later serving as North East chair. She is also a director at Crisis.
James Ealey has been hired as deputy chief executive of the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), promoted from his previous role as executive director of NHC Procurement. NHC has made a number of other promotions: Satty Rai to head of housing partnerships, Kay Wiseman to head of HR and well-being, Liam Gregson to senior engagement manager and Tom Kennedy to senior policy and research manager.
Jamie Ratcliff has joined communications agency Social as an associate in its London team. Previously, Mr Ratcliff was chief communities and sustainability officer at Sovereign Network Group.
Social justice charity Nacro has appointed two new directors: Ian McKetty to the role of director of technology and data, and Andy Wilkinson-Sharpe as director of finance, risk and assurance.
Altair has announced Kevin Harding as head of procurement. Previously, Mr Harding was global senior category manager at Specsavers.
Ellie Vlavianou has been hired as investment director (affordable housing) at Octopus Real Estate. Previously, Ms Vlavianou was head of new business at L&Q.
Nicole Heslop has been selected as land manager for Gleeson Homes’ Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear region. Previously, Ms Heslop was development and delivery manager at Home Group.
Law firm Anthony Collins has appointed two new members to its housing sector and property team: Digby Morgan and Kate Davies.
Management and recruitment consultancy Campbell Tickell has announced the departure of partner Gera Patel after 17 years with the firm. Meanwhile, Gemma Prescot has been promoted to director of recruitment and Clare Sion has been hired as senior consultant for people and HR.
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