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London housing association appoints four ahead of merger

One of London’s largest housing associations has confirmed several managerial appointments ahead of a proposed merger expected later this year.

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These are the first appointments made Ian McDermott, chief executive of Catalyst
These are the first appointments made Ian McDermott, chief executive of Catalyst
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London housing association Catalyst has appointed four to its executive team ahead of merger #ukhousing

Catalyst has made four new appointments to its executive team as part of a restructure driven by its merger with Aldwyck Housing Group.

The 21,000-home Catalyst entered merger talks with Aldwyck last September, and both boards have now agreed to the merger with work ongoing to allow Aldwyck to join Catalyst as a subsidiary early in the 2019/20 financial year.

The two associations have said they expect to finalise the full merger soon after the financial year end.

Sarah Thomas, director of customer services at the Guinness Partnership, has joined Catalyst as its new chief operating officer, replacing the outgoing Rachael Dennis who will join house builder Taylor Wimpey as a managing director in the spring.

Tim Jennings, the current interim chief executive at Aldwyck, will take up the role of executive director of finance at Catalyst, while Austen Reid, former director of development at Clarion, has been hired as Catalyst’s interim director of integration.

Judith Foss, currently executive director of people and culture at Catalyst, has been appointed to the role in the expanded organisation.

These are the first senior appointments to be made by Catalyst’s chief executive Ian McDermott, who joined the association from Aldwyck last July.

Ms Thomas spent three years in her role at the Guinness Partnership. Prior to that she spent four years at the Richmond Housing Partnership and nearly nine years at Eurostar in customer service roles.

Mr Jennings moves across to Catalyst from Aldwyck where he currently holds the role of director of finance as well as interim chief executive. He has nearly 30 years’ experience in finance roles, including at Capita, G4S and Criterion.

Mr Reid left his role at Clarion in February. He has held a number of senior roles across the sector including chief operating officer at Circle Housing before its merger with Affinity Sutton and as group operations director at Hyde Group.

Mr McDermott said: “We are very pleased to have established a new, robust executive structure for our expanded organisation, designed to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities for Catalyst and our sector over the next few years.

“Providing more quality homes and improving our customers’ experience will remain at our core. The appointments bring an excellent mix of experience from within and outside housing.”

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