Movers and Shakers Powered by Dixon Walter

Movers and Shakers Powered by Dixon Walter

Women leading the way in housing: let’s champion our success as Dixon Walter take a look at the senior appointments and promotions this spring/summer season...

Bernicia has strengthened its senior leadership team with some key appointments; Caroline Wallace, highly experienced finance professional, takes up the newly created post of Director of Finance this summer joining from Hays Travel. Jenny Allinson has been appointed Director of Corporate Governance. She joins from Home Group where she was Head of Risk and Compliance.

Lorraine Usher has been appointed Chair of Housemark Scotland’s Advisory Board (SAB). Lorraine has more than 20 years’ experience in housing and is currently Chief Executive at Loreburn. Lorraine succeeds Helen Murdoch, who has been the SAB chair since 2017.

Following a spell as the interim, Yorkshire Housing have appointed Cath Owston as Executive Director of Customer Experience. With over 30 years’ experience in housing, she has previously held director posts at Rochdale Borough Housing and New Charter Trust Group.

Back in April, Sharon Brown was promoted to the role of Director of Assurance with Great Places’, tasked with overseeing its Business Assurance, Governance and Health and Safety. Sharon has worked for Great Places for almost 19 years, starting as a Resident Involvement Officer and rising through the ranks to become Head of Business Assurance.

Amina Graham, formerly Director of Change and Transformation at L&Q, has been appointed Executive Director of People and Systems at Housing 21. Amina also holds a non-executive role at Network Homes Group.

Clarion Housing Group have recruited former Ford HR Director to the Board. Doris Olulode has joined the group’s Board as well as the Board of its housing association and its Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

G15 housing association, Catalyst, have appointed two new Development Directors following its merger with social landlord Roseberry. Former Clarion Regional Delivery Director for London Rachael Matthiae has been appointed Director of Development Delivery for London, while Claire Bishop moves from her role as Assistant Director of Development at bpha to become Director of Development Delivery of Counties.

Additionally, Catalyst have also welcomed two new Board Members; Thelma Stober and Christine Turner. Ms Turner joined the board after serving as Chair of Rosebery Housing Association and brings more than 35 years’ experience in social housing. Ms Stober is a solicitor and commercial mediator with extensive experience in the public sector.

Katie Teasdale has joined Stonewater as Head of Customer Voice and Influence, a new role dedicated to delivering effective customer communications, engagement, complaints and feedback. During her seven years working for the NHF, Katie played a key role in the development of its Together with Tenants campaign – an initiative to strengthen the relationship between housing association residents and landlords.

Homes for Lambeth have announced Alison Muir will be replacing incumbent Richard Stevens as the Chair of its registered provider arm, HFL Homes. Ms Muir has been a member of the HFL Homes board since February last year. She is currently Interim Executive Director of Anchor Hanover Group and sits on the board of Clarion.

L&Q have announced the appointment of Vicky Savage as Group Director of Development and Sales. Ms Savage takes over the role vacated by Fiona Fletcher-Smith who was appointed Chief Executive in January. Joining L&Q in November 2017, Ms Savage’s most recent role was London Managing Director.

Rose Bean has been appointed to the newly created role of Director of Assets and Sustainability at Abri. Before taking up this post, Ms Bean served as Abri’s Director of Asset Management and Regeneration.

Abri has also welcomed new members as part of a board refresh. The new Board Members will begin in August and include Dr Mary-Kathryn Adams, former Deputy Chief Executive of HACT; Kat Thorne, Director of Sustainability at King’s College London; Jocelyn McConnachie, Deputy Chair of the Customer Engagement Group at Western Power Distribution; and Lou Taylor, who has more than 20 years’ experience in media and advertising.

Gateway Housing Association have announced their new Chief Executive; Kate Franklin who will take up post in August following the departure of Kate Dodsworth. Ms Franklin joins the 2,900-home landlord from Essex-based CHP, where she is currently Chief Operating Officer. Ms Franklin has 12 years of executive leadership experience, having worked at Hyde, One Housing and North Hertfordshire Homes.

Jo Armstrong will replace Alastair MacNish as Chair of Wheatley Group, after he announced plans in February to step down. Ms Armstrong, an independent business economist, has been a member of Wheatley’s board since 2015 and is Chair of the group’s development committee. Ms Armstrong will take up post in September.

Citizen have announced Madeleine Nelson as the new Chief Operating Officer. Nelson’s latest role was as Executive Director of Growth and Assets at Plus Dane Housing. She will take up her new role in July.

Iona Taylor joined Almond Housing as Director of Asset Management in May. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise having previously worked as Asset Planning Manager at Link Group and, prior to that, spent many years as Property Services Manager at Thenue Housing Association.

Geeta Nanda OBE, Chief Executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, has become the new Chair of the G15 Group. Ms Nanda succeeds Helen Evans, Chief Executive of Network Homes, who served as Chair of the G15 for the past two years.

Emma Fletcher has been engaged as the new Managing Director of Evera Homes. Ms Fletcher was previously Managing Director at SmithsonHill, a development joint venture between house builder Hill Group and food producer Russell Smith Farms. Ms Fletcher is also chair of Swaffham Prior Community Land Trust and a council member of the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry.

To continue to strive for progression and achievement, especially in what has been a tough year all round takes determination and self-belief. Through your example, inspiration will follow. Congratulations to all the women mentioned and may we take this opportunity to WISH you every success in your new posts!

Dixon Walter – Housing and Regeneration Recruitment Specialists www.dixonwalter.co.uk