A DARLINGTON-BASED housing association has appointed a new board chair – and one of his first tasks will be to oversee the recruitment of a new chief executive.

Chris Fawcett has taken on the role at Railway Housing Association, which owns and manages more than 1,500 homes across the North-East, Yorkshire, Tees Valley, Cumbria and Herefordshire.

He replaces Berni Whitaker who stood down in June after completing her maximum six-year term.

Chris is currently Executive Director – Business Transformation, for Broadacres Housing Association where he has worked for the last 13 years.

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The 47-year-old has served on Railway Housing Association’s board for three years and as chair will lead a board of nine.

He said: “I am enormously proud to have been elected chair of the Railway Housing Association board and would like to thank Berni for her service and dedication over the last six years.

“I am now looking forward to working with my board colleagues and staff to deliver our business strategy for the benefit of our customers and ultimately to continue the legacy of such a well-respected organisation.”

One of Chris’s first tasks will be to oversee the appointment of a new Chief Executive Railway Housing Association.

The current chief executive, Anne Rowlands, is retiring in March 2023 after leading the organisation for the last 14 years.

Chris added: “Anne has given fantastic service to Railway Housing Association and will leave big shoes to fill, but it provides a great opportunity for people interested in becoming chief executive of an historic, reputable, high performing organisation.”

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