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A 5,000-home housing association declared non-compliant with regulatory standards in March has named a new permanent chief executive.
Mark Howden has been appointed to stay on as chief executive of Peaks & Plains Housing Trust.
He took the role on an interim basis in November following Tim Pinder’s resignation upon the landlord’s self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).
Before that, Mr Howden was deputy chief executive and director of place at Peaks & Plains, having joined from construction giant Balfour Beatty in May 2019.
Peaks & Plains, which operates across Cheshire and Derbyshire, was deemed to have failed the RSH’s governance standard in March over multiple safety issues and a loan covenant breach.
It also appointed a new chair, Jane McCall, in May, while Emma Richman joined as director of operations in March, moving over from Great Places Housing Group.
Peaks & Plains said Mr Howden has worked closely with the RSH to develop and implement its recovery action plan amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first phase of the programme completed on schedule.
Mr Howden said: “When I joined the trust in 2019, I couldn’t have predicted the journey that lay ahead.
“Over the past 12 months, we have made transformational changes and overcome many adversities, and I believe we are a stronger organisation as a result. One which I am honoured to have been appointed to lead forward as chief executive.
“Looking ahead, my focus is to continue to build a robust, well-managed trust that will uphold its social purpose above all else – addressing the local housing need and ensuring resident welfare is paramount.”
Ms McCall said: “Mark’s experience and passion for improving communities made him a very strong candidate.
“Myself and the board have also been really impressed with his purposeful focus on both residents and our workforce.
“A clear sign that he’s the right person to lead the organisation forward to address immediate priorities and steer the trust’s long-term strategy.”
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