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Large housing association appoints former ombudsman as chair
Aster Group has appointed a former housing ombudsman as its new chair.
Dr Mike Biles, who was ombudsman for 13 years until 2014, will take over as head of the 30,000-home landlord’s board on 1 October.
He replaces Andrew Jackson, who is stepping down at the end of his four-year term.
Dr Biles has been a board member at Aster for four years and has acted as senior independent director since last year, having previously chaired the group’s audit committee.
Aster will appoint a new senior independent director later this month.
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Dr Biles said: “The past few years have thrown up a myriad of challenges for UK housing associations.
“Andrew Jackson has drawn on all of his experience to provide Aster’s board with outstanding advice and guidance to help put the group on solid foundations for the future.
“My role now is to build on this position.
“Aster has a clear vision of everyone having a home and a well-understood strategy that aims to increase the volume of high-quality, affordable houses across a range of tenures.”
Mr Jackson said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed chairing the board and I’m proud of the progress the group has made in recent years.
“Thanks to strong leadership from Bjorn [Howard, the chief executive] and the executive board, and the hard work and commitment of colleagues across the business, Aster is well positioned as a progressive organisation and one that is playing a key role in tackling the UK’s housing crisis.
“With his deep expertise in the sector and knowledge of Aster, Mike is the ideal person to guide the group into the future and I wish him and everyone in the business well.”
Aster, which operates across the South of England, had a turnover of £212m for 2018/19 according to its financial results published last month.
