Stuart Dry, the chief executive of Cornwall-based Kerrier Homes Trust, has resigned one month after the board of the trust suspended him.
A statement from the trust said the move followed a “fundamental disagreement” between Dry and its board on the association’s future strategy. But it added that both parties remain on amicable terms.

Kerrier has been under Housing Corporation supervision, with appointees imposed on the board, since January. It suspended Dry last month and appointed company secretary Ian Birchmore as acting chief executive (HT 7 June, page 9).

The trust took over Kerrier council’s housing stock only four years ago. Dry was brought in after the first chief executive, Neil Dutton, died following an accident. In January, the Housing Corporation raised serious concerns over governance and operations at the trust, which has 3600 homes. It froze all new grants to Kerrier until the problems were resolved.

Last autumn it was discovered that the trust was heading for a significant overspend on maintenance, but Kerrier said the situation was back in hand by April this year.

Dry said of his resignation: “The board has been very supportive with the difficult decisions that have been needed. I consider it the right time to leave, and know that the foundations have been laid for a new chief executive to make further progress.”

Kerrier chair Trevor Eagle said: “The board agrees with Stuart’s comments and considers that change is in the interest of both parties, but wishes Stuart every success in the future.”

Source

Housing Today