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Inside Housing’s monthly round-up of top-level housing sector appointments runs down the main senior appointments in the sector for December 2020
Housing Moves compiles all the senior housing appointments in one place every month.
To tell us about your housing appointments, email gene.robertson@insidehousing.co.uk.
Fiona Fletcher-Smith (pictured) has taken over as chief executive of L&Q, replacing David Montague. She is an internal appointment, having joined the 105,000-home landlord in 2018 as group director of development and sales.
Barry Greyling has joined 46,000-home Platform Housing as corporate finance director. He previously worked at financial services group Centrus, and says that one of his career highlights was advising on Radian and Yarlington’s merger to become Abri in 2019.
Laura Osborne also joined Platform as director of sales and marketing. She has previously worked as sales and marketing director at Keepmoat Homes and Crest Nicholson.
Platform has also appointed a new director of land, partnerships and new business. Andrew Driscoll started in the role in December. He joined the landlord from his job as senior land director at Bloor Homes.
Red Kite Community Housing has created a new role of head of resident and community engagement. Sophie Phillips was promoted into the role on 8 December, from her previous position of community engagement and development manager.
Liz Paul has not changed jobs. In fact, she has just celebrated 40 years working for Orbit. She started at what was then Leamington Housing Society in 1980 as a housing trainee. Many mergers and different roles later, she now works as research and insight manager.
The Wrekin Housing Group has promoted Jon Lamb from group head of finance to executive director of finance. He replaces Francis Best – who was Wrekin’s first ever employee after a stock transfer in 1999, and is now retiring. Chief executive Wayne Gethings said: “It’s great to welcome Jon to the executive team. Jon has an intricate understanding of our organisation and has been instrumental in ensuring the long-term financial strength of the organisation.”
Places for People has appointed Richard Gregory (pictured) as its new chair. The former Yorkshire Television managing director takes over from Chris Phillips, who chaired the board for the past 10 years.
A2Dominion has appointed three new board members, starting on 4 January. Ozzie Clarke-Binns is a people and organisational development specialist, and was previously head of innovation and consultancy at University College London. He is also a trustee of the Royal National Institute of Blind People and a One Young World ambassador.
Also joining the board at the 38,000-home association is Louise Wilson, an HR professional who has worked at The Body Shop and Clarks. She is also on the board of homelessness charity Thames Reach.
Andrew Kirkman is the third new board member – on top of his day job as chief financial officer at property investment firm CLS Holdings. He has previously worked as chief financial officer at Balfour Beatty Capital and as global head of corporate finance at Bovis Lend Lease (now known as Lendlease).
Onward has appointed Dena Burgher to its board. Ms Burgher has worked for private developers such as Vistry Partnerships and Kier Living, as well as in social housing for Focus and Waterloo. Chief executive Bronwen Rapley said: “Dena joins our board at an important time for the business, as we balance our plans to deliver 500 new homes a year with a commitment to customers during this tough winter. Dena’s standing and achievements in property and customer experience roles make her a valuable addition to our leadership team.”
Lesley Burrows has stepped down as chair of Calico Group after nine years. Chief executive Anthony Duerden said: “We don’t often talk about our board members, but they play a really important role… Her support and encouragement has enabled the group to be successful over an extended period, inspiring us individually and as a collective to be the best that we can be.”
Ebele Akojie has been appointed to the board of Golding Homes. She has held many senior roles in housing associations, including chief financial officer at One Housing.
PA Housing has appointed four new board members. Rahul Jaitly’s previous roles include group chief information officer at L&Q, as well as senior roles at organisations including Universal Music Group and the Financial Times. He is also a board member at the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Chartered surveyor Andrew Carrington also joins PA’s board, and will be a member of its development and asset committee. His most recent role is managing director for strategic land at Countryside Properties.
Also at PA Housing, Kathleen Harris Leighton and Kim Francis are the housing association’s first two customer board members. Ms Harris Leighton is an adult literacy specialist and works for Leicestershire Adult Learning Service. She has served on a number of PA Housing groups. Mr Francis is a PA Housing shared owner, and has been chair of its resident forum. His professional background is in developing customer services strategies for museums, galleries and heritage sites.
Samantha Herelle (pictured) has been appointed by Homes for Lambeth to a new position as director of operations. She is currently operations director at Mount Green Housing Association. Jitinder Takhar, chief executive of Homes for Lambeth, said: “Samantha brings over 20 years of housing operations experience. Her significant track record will help us build on the great resident engagement taking place on the estates we are rebuilding. Samantha will lead our response to the government’s Charter for Social Housing Residents and ensure our residents are listened to at every stage of our ambitious programme.”
The Heat Pump Association has a new chair – Phil Hurley (pictured), managing director of NIBE Energy Systems. He replaces Graham Wright, who is stepping down after a two-year term. Mr Hurley said: “With the government’s announcement of its green industrial revolution, the heat pump industry now finds itself on the crest of a wave. I would like to thank Graham for his tireless work and leadership, which has brought significant results.”
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