Housing Moves: our round-up of senior sector appointments in January 2026

Mark Henderson, the long-serving chief executive of Home Group, has announced plans to retire, and will step down when a successor is appointed later this year. Mr Henderson joined the organisation in September 2008 following four years as chief executive of Northumberland County Council.

Sandy Livingstone has taken over as chief executive of Onward, following the retirement of Bronwen Rapley. Mr Livingstone has been with the organisation since 2017, most recently as executive director of growth.

Accessible housing specialist Habinteg Housing has appointed Martin Warhurst as chief executive. Mr Warhurst has served as interim chief executive for more than a year, and was previously the organisation’s chief financial officer.

Craig Stirrat, chief executive of Grampian Housing Association, has announced that he will retire in autumn 2026, after 12 years at the organisation and 43 years in the sector. He took on the top job at Grampian in April 2022, after joining in 2014, and previously held senior roles with Fife Housing Group and Aberdeen City Council.

Bukky McGlynn has started as chief executive at Evolve Housing + Support, joining from Gravesend Churches Housing Association, where she was chief executive. The organisation has also appointed Richard Bellis as director of operations, joining from the director of housing role at YMCA Thames Gateway.

Abbi Agana has been promoted to chief executive at resident-led housing organisation Leathermarket JMB, from her position as chief transformation officer. Ms Agana has held senior roles both in and out of the sector – including chief transformation officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, chief operating officer at Octavia, and director of business excellence at Peabody.

Paul Wright will take over as executive director of finance at Gentoo when Peter Lenehan retires after seven years at the organisation. Mr Wright is currently the organisation’s director of finance and procurement.

Vivid has announced the appointment of Mike Shepherd as chief investment officer. Most recently, Mr Shepherd was investment director at investment management firm Man Group.

A2Dominion has made two new senior appointments: Mark Moore as chief property officer, and Grace Marguerie as director of people, strategy and culture. Mr Moore joins from The Guinness Partnership where he was director of compliance and building safety, while Ms Marguerie was executive director of people and inclusion at charity WithYou, and previously held roles including group HR director at Places for People.

Clarion has announced that Catrin Jones will be taking on the newly created role of chief people, data and digital officer, as the areas are brought together under one remit. Ms Jones has been with the organisation for nine years, with roles including group director of corporate services and chief people officer.

Vipul Thacker has left his position as chief organisational effectiveness officer at Notting Hill Genesis. Mr Thacker had spent around 15 years at the organisation, including as group director for central services.

Housing and support provider Advance has appointed Ryan Brummitt as executive director of support. Previously Mr Brummit was managing director for specialist services at Optimo Care Group.

Marie Kiddell has joined Thirteen as development and partnerships director. Previously, Ms Kiddell was assistant director for the North at Homes England.

Lesley Versprille has been promoted to head of estate management at Notting Hill Genesis, following the departure of Mića Joseph to Riverside. Ms Versprille previously held the role of estate operations manager, starting in 2022.

Mića Joseph is joining Riverside as assistant director of operations (London). She joins from Notting Hill Genesis, where she was head of estate management.

Luke Coad has joined Orbit as fundraising and partnerships manager. He joins from international development charity Practical Action, where he was senior partnerships officer.