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Chair of troubled housing association leaves
The chair of an under-pressure housing association has left just weeks after the departure of its second chief executive in a year.
Inside Housing can reveal that Catherine Guelbert departed from her role at the helm of Saffron Housing Trust last week, following the departure of chief executive Francesco Elia in October.
Saffron was downgraded to a non-compliant rating for governance by the regulator in October last year, with then chief executive Adam Ronaldson leaving soon afterwards.
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The organisation was slammed by the Homes and Communities Agency for failing to appoint board members properly under its own code of governance, and failing to properly rectify the issue or notify the regulator.
A spokesperson for the organisation said Ms Guelbert had elected to leave in order to focus on her other commitments, which include running companies and non-executive roles.
Andy Radford, who has held executive roles in several local authorities, including deputy chief executive at South Norfolk Council, has been appointed as Ms Guelbert’s successor.
John Whitelock, former director of new business at Saffron, is currently acting as chief executive.
“It is fairly natural at times of change to have a bit of turnover,” a Saffron spokesperson told Inside Housing.
Saffron is continuing to work through an action plan with the regulator to improve its governance position.