Mark Washer has joined Downland Affinity Group as group director of finance and resources ahead of the merger of Downland Housing Group and Affinity Homes Group.
He held the same post with Affinity before the merger and has also worked for Partnership Housing Group, consultant Chapman Hendy and housing association Circle 33. A qualified accountant, he is a member of the National Housing Federation's finance committee.
Jennie Vartan
Jennie Vartan has joined Hereward Housing as director of business development.
A chartered surveyor, she has worked for FPD Savills and HomeSelect. She is a board member with Poplar Harca in London and a former board member with Stort Valley in Hertfordshire. In her spare time she is a runner and triathlete.
Jayne Lawton
Chester and District Housing Trust has promoted Jayne Lawton from property services manager to assistant director of operations. She is a trained housing surveyor and has worked for Riverside Housing in Merseyside and various councils.
Action Housing Association
Shaun Needham and Sharon Kelly have both been promoted from deputy manager to manager. Shaun will run the Rotherham office, taking over from Janet Atkins who will head a new branch in Barnsley. Sharon will manage Sheffield when Tim Gollins moves to the new Chesterfield office.
Job of the week
Michael John Allen
New job
Non-executive director at construction consultant the MDA Group
New job specification?
To give support and advice to our regional offices and build up the client base, especially in the North
Old job
Deputy chairman of housebuilder Persimmon
First housing job
Sales manager at Hambleton Homes (Yorkshire), which later became Persimmon Homes (Yorkshire)
If you were housing minister, what would you do to improve the housing situation in the UK?
“I would apply common sense to the planning regime, lay down firm ground rules for elected members and give officers more powers. I would apply the constraints enforceable by fines from the inspectorate through both the planning and appeals systems.”
Favourite TV programme
“Inspector Morse.”
Favourite film
“The Magnificent Seven.”
Hobbies
“Shooting, fishing, painting, racing and gardening.”
Most memorable incident at work?
“Helping to float Persimmon on the London Stock Exchange.”
Best thing that has ever happened to you?
“Marrying my wife.”
What did you want to be when you were a child?
“A farmer.”
How did you get there?
Answered a newspaper advert.
Views on PFI, right to buy and financing house purchases
“We live in a changing world and the new issues are worth consideration. I have no criticisms regarding PFI (except that the cost of preparing bids and the time it takes) or the right to buy. I think the main issue for the future is how we finance house purchases. In my view, a whole new mortgage package will be required.”
Source
Housing Today
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