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Clarion finance chief to take over at Sovereign
The chief financial officer of the UK’s largest housing association has been appointed as the new chief executive of Sovereign.
Mark Washer has been in charge of finance at Clarion – and Affinity Sutton before it was renamed following the merger with Circle – since 2001. He will take over at Sovereign from Ann Santry this summer.
Clarion’s former chief executive, Keith Exford, announced his retirement in September last year and there had been some speculation that Mr Washer would take over.
In December, however, Ruth Cooke of Midland Heart was named as the organisation’s new chief executive, a job she took up just over two weeks ago.
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Mr Washer said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Sovereign. Ann is an incredibly hard act to follow, but I’m looking forward to leading the organisation through the next phase in its history.
“Sovereign is in fantastic shape. It’s financially strong, with high-performing staff who have the ambition and determination to make the difference for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a secure home, in a place they want to live.”
Sovereign is one of the largest housing associations in the country, managing more than 56,000 homes across the South and South West. It aims to build 1,500 new homes every year.
Gordon Holdcroft, chair of Sovereign, said: “I’m really pleased that Mark has agreed to join us as our new chief executive. He’ll bring fresh thinking, high energy and strong leadership to Sovereign, helping us to continue to transform the business and make a real difference to people’s lives.
“As we welcome Mark, we’ll also be saying goodbye to Ann Santry. I’d like to thank her, both personally and on behalf of the board, for her unwavering commitment to Sovereign over the past 18 years.”
