Housing Moves: our round-up of senior sector appointments in May 2020

Insight25.06.207.00 AM by Jack Simpson

Inside Housing’s monthly round-up of top-level housing appointments runs through the main changes in the sector for May

Sally Veitch, the new chair of Settle

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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 May 2020 #ukhousing

Housing Moves: our round-up of senior sector appointments in May 2020 #ukhousing

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

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Housing association and ALMO moves

Sovereign Housing’s chief operating officer Heather Bowman (pictured) is set to retire later this year after a career spanning three decades. Ms Bowman joined Sovereign in 2001. She will retire in September but will lead Sovereign’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic until her retirement.
Rosemary Farrar has been hired as group chief finance officer at Platform Housing Group. Ms Farrar joins the organisation after four years working as a consultant with several housing associations including Women’s Pioneer, Riverside and Paradigm, as well as for-profit provider Sage.
Southern Housing Group has made an addition to its team as part of its growth plans. Jason Wickens is the company’s new chief information officer and he will lead the group’ digital strategy.
Jonnie Johnson Housing has hired Joe McLoughlin as its director for data and digital transformation.

Magenta Living has brought in Haydn Hansford as its assistant director of building services. Mr Hansford joins after leaving Torus Group, where he was maintenance director for its contracting business.
Torus has been on its own recruitment drive, with the hire of Riza Yassin as its regional director of housing services. Mr Yassin joins from Johnnie Johnson Housing where he was head of homes and services.
Midlands-based landlord Citizen has promoted Paul Baker. Mr Baker was previously head of asset management and is now the director of asset management and safety.
Care provider Brunelcare hired two new staff in May. Mandy Curran becomes its registered operations manager at its Bridgwater Office, while Emma Gwynne is the organisation’s new volunteering development manager.
Wrekin Housing Group has strengthened its development team with the appointment of Simon Thompson as its director of development. Mr Thompson moved from Stoke City Council where he was assistant director of private sector housing and regeneration.
The Letchworth-based housing association Settle has appointed former Argos executive Sally Veitch as its new chair. Ms Veitch replaces Martin Nurse, who stepped down from the role after six years in charge.
Marcus Keys has become executive director of growth and development at Longhurst Group. Mr Keys joins from Futures Housing Group where he was director of growth and transformation.
Freebridge Community Housing has announced Anita Jones (pictured) will be its chief executive. Ms Jones, who has been deputy CEO of Havebury Housing since 2012, is taking over the role from Tony Hall, who is retiring after having been in post since Freebridge began as an organisation back in 2006.

The care arm of Midlands-based housing association Accord Care has appointed Jasbir Singh (pictured) as a director. Mr Singh has had a 20-year career in housing, including senior roles at Runwood Care and Methodist Homes.
Matthew Ridley is now the leader of Soha Housing’s finance team. He joined the company as head of finance from the parking and ticketing company Metric Group, where he was also head of finance.
Jane McCall will succeed John Hudson as the chair of Peaks and Plains Housing Trust. Ms McCall has many years of experience in the sector, including a decade as executive director of neighbourhoods at Trafford Housing Trust.
Lincolnshire Housing Partnership has appointed Alex Dixon as its executive director of property. Mr Dixon has previously held directorship positions at Freebridge Community Housing and Bromford.

Other moves

The Northern Irish housing minister Deirdre Hargey has reappointed Jim McCall and Derek Wilson to the board of the Northern Housing Executive for a second period covering five years. Ken Millar has also been reappointed for either six months or until a new board member is found.
Glasgow-based house builder AS Homes has strengthened its team with four new hires. As part of the business’ plan to grow the company, it has brought in James Loughrey as its senior quantity surveyor, Simon Donaldson as finance director, Gillian Quigley as finance manager, and Ainslie McCrone as its sales and marketing co-ordinator.
Legal firm Winckworth Sherwood has brought in two senior lawyers to strengthen its presence in the housing finance market. Louise Forrest joins the firm as partner and head of its banking and finance team, while Zofia Kordek becomes a senior associate.