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New board chairs

The management boards of both GreenSquare and Westlea Housing have appointed new Chairs during the past couple of months. Derek Cash has taken over from Bob Marshall as Chair of the Westlea Board and Hilary Gardner succeeded James Williamson as Chair of the GreenSquare Board. Bob and James had both played key roles in the formation of GreenSquare in 2008.

Dorset-born, Derek became the first pupil from his town’s comprehensive school to serve as Mayor of his home town of Bridport and went on to complete 14 years as a local councillor at town and district level. Originally trained in journalism, he has now worked professionally in social housing for the past 20 years. Having started three successful housing associations from scratch in South West England and South Africa, Derek carried out housing inspections for the Audit Commission before joining the National Housing Federation where he headed up their operation across the South of England. Currently a freelance housing consultant mainly advising social landlords on service delivery and improvement, Derek had already been a member of GreenSquare's board since April 2008 when appointed as Chair of Westlea in September this year.

Hilary is a highly-experienced and skilled housing professional with over 25 years experience in the housing sector, 10 at Senior Executive level. She was employed by Sanctuary Group for over 22 years with involvement in most areas of the housing business. Hilary’s most recent position was as commercial director for the whole Group, but has held posts with responsibility for social housing, business development and expansion, student housing, market rented housing and care. She established and ran Sanctuary’s subsidiary in Scotland. Hilary is a strong and natural leader with a well-developed understanding of organisational dynamics at senior level, adapting to change and how individuals react to change. She is an excellent communicator with real skills in supporting and motivating people to achieve their goals. Hilary has had previous board member experience with other housing associations including Kingfisher Housing Association and Paramount Housing Association. In September 2009, Hilary decided to retire from full-time employment and enjoy a different life away from a 9 to 5 routine. In January 2010 she was appointed to the Board of GreenSquare and Oakus Estates before becoming Group Chair from James Williamson following the Group AGM this year.

[published online 16/11/10]

 

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