You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Catalyst names new chair
Large London housing association Catalyst has named former Diageo executive Ravi Rajagopal as its new chair.
Mr Rajagopal will initially join the 34,000-home landlord as chair designate before taking over full responsibilities from current chair Richard Brown.
He joins Catalyst after a 35-year career in finance, including 19 years at drinks giant Diageo. During his time at Diageo, he held a number of high-profile roles, including group controller and global head of mergers and acquisitions.
Since leaving the company in 2016, he has held a number of non-executive roles, including as chair of Fortis Healthcare, India’s second largest listed health care company.
He is also an independent director and audit chair of both Airtel Africa plc, Africa’s second largest telecoms company, is a trustee at the Science Museum Foundation, and chairs a project with the Indian government to build childcare centres across north India.
Mr Rajagopal said: “I always wanted to devote my time post-career to societal and community improvement. "The chair at Catalyst is a very appealing opportunity at a commercially minded business that makes a meaningful social impact at scale. The provision of social housing, done well, brings dignity to people and addresses inequality.”
Ian McDermott, chief executive of Catalyst, said: “I am excited to be welcoming Ravi to Catalyst as our chair. His skills and experience will be hugely valuable as we focus on delivering our corporate purpose, vision and values to deliver Homes People Love.
“Ravi brings experience of significantly improving businesses, blended with a strong personal commitment to charities and social improvement.”
