NHC names deputy chief executive amid flurry of appointments

He added: “I’m excited as I look ahead to the opportunity we have as an organisation, to make a real difference to the lives, homes and communities of the people we serve. I look forward to working with my fellow senior leadership team, as well as our fantastic colleagues, to fulfil this ambition.”

This appointment is one of a number amid a shake-up within the management team, reflecting promotions and changes to the roles of several longstanding staff. 

Satty Rai, who has been working at the NHC for 17 years, has been appointed head of housing partnerships. She will now lead the body’s work across the North, including providing secretariat services and bringing together Northern housing partnerships to share learning and best practice.

Kay Wiseman, who started working at the NHC 19 years ago as an administrative assistant before moving into HR, has been promoted to head of HR and well-being. The role includes developing NHC’s employment offer and overseeing the Unlocking Success Bursary, a scheme to support people in social housing to access training and employment.

Liam Gregson has been announced as senior engagement manager (devolution and place lead), reflecting his recent work supporting the mayoral combined authorities across the North, as well as his longstanding role as the NHC’s lead on rebalancing and placemaking. He will deepen the NHC’s offer to local authorities and manage key policy engagement projects. 

Tom Kennedy, previously the NHC’s policy and public affairs manager, will now take up the position of senior policy and research manager (net zero lead) to develop internal policy and research capacity.

Speaking on the appointments, Tracy Harrison, chief executive of the NHC, said they will “build on the fantastic work colleagues have done over the past year to help members navigate a changing political landscape and engage with the new government”.

She added: “They will help us embed our new corporate plan priorities of moving the dial on Northern policy; delivering a tailored offer to our cross-sector member base; and providing the best possible services for members by recruiting, retaining and developing a talented, diverse and committed team of colleagues. All this will be underpinned by creating value for members through and with NHC Procurement.

“I’m confident we have a fantastic team in place to bring together housing in the North to develop insight, influence and solutions to create better homes and places. We want to make sure everyone in the North has access to a safe, warm home that’s affordable to them in a place they’re proud of.”

The appointments follow previous changes to the body’s board late last year, including chair Charlie Norman, chief executive of Mosscare St Vincent’s, and vice-chair Jane Everton, chair of Outward.

It also named board members Rachael Dennis, chief executive of Incommunities; Tracy Gordon, lead officer for housing partnerships at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Steve Hepworth, chief executive of Ongo Homes, and Noel Sharpe, group chief executive of Bolton at Home.