In a new initiative for the Thames Gateway, the Housing Corporation has asked Dr Tim Williams, former Special Adviser to David Miliband and ex-Chief Executive of the London Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership, to chair a Housing Corporation commission into Affordable Housing design and quality in the Thames Gateway.
The commission will provide a guide on the Corporation's expectations for homes requiring grant funding. It will involve collaboration with CABE, local authorities, house builders, and housing associations. Dr Williams has unique first-hand experience of the Gateway and of developing housing and urban design policy. He will draw on these skills to bring together a commission of talent and influence to deliver the project.
The Commission is part of a fundamental review of the Corporation's Scheme Development Standards, which will be revised in the autumn of 2006.
Dr Williams said: "This is absolutely the right time and the right action to take. Design standards for affordable housing in the Gateway have to be exemplary if we are to attract and retain mixed communities to live and work there. The Corporation is showing leadership and innovation here. Given my background, I was delighted to be asked to do this. I believe we have some of the best in the business working with us on the commission because we all recognise how important this task is."
A restructuring at Walsall Housing Group has led to the appointment of Peter Brown and Gary Fulford as Managing Directors. They currently occupy the post of Chief Executive at Bloxwich and Central Walsall Housing Trusts respectively.
Magna Housing Association appointed David Aldwinckle as its new Director. He was previously Operations Manager at Pathmeads Housing Association.
Sue Groom joined Severnside Housing as its new Director of Neighbourhood and Community Services. She was previously Operations Director at Housing Quality Network.
Paul Hayes, senior paralegel at Lewis Silkin, was appointed as the firm's Head of Housing Litigation Team.
Katy Sagoe moved up from Supported Housing Manager to Director of Housing Services at Spire Homes.
Marcia Mitchell relinquished the role of Interim Chief Executive at Ash-Shahada Housing Association. At about the same time, it became known that the Housing Corporation had placed the Association under supervision due to concerns about governance.
Michael Penny was appointed Group Finance Director of Pinnacle Regeneration Group. Prior to joining the Group, he was Finance Director at DIY retailers Wickes and has also held a range of other senior finance positions, including Head of Audit at Whitbread, Finance Director of Thresher and Vice President, Finance at Time Warner.
Steve Williams was appointed Chief Executive at Guernsey Housing Association. He moves there from Aster Group, where he was Development Director.
Mel Cook was elected as the new Chair of the Aster Group. He had been the chair of Testway Housing from its creation in 1995, but recently stood down.
Mr Cook succeeds John Heffer as Chair, who stepped down at the recent annual meeting of Aster Group. Mr Heffer was a member of the Sarsen board before stock transfer took place in 1995 and became its Chair in September 2001. He will continue to serve as a member of the Sarsen board.
It emerged that the Royal Bank of Scotland will part-fund a new post at the National Housing Federation. The post is being created to provide a resource for producing products to help the financially excluded. The new post will come into being in 2007.
Shelter Cymru launched a new resource pack, aimed at highlighting the range of housing jobs available in Wales and encouraging young people into housing careers. The pack, which has the backing of the Chartered Institute of Housing and Swansea Housing Association, will be widely distributed to secondary schools. It will also be available online at http://www.housemate.org.uk.
