Gentoo, a housing association that owns and manages more than 29000 homes in Sunderland, has appointed Claire Long and Dianne Sharp (main image) to its board as part of a shakeup designed to bring ideas, skills and experience to the organisation
Sharp has more 15 years’ experience at executive board level, having held various trustee and non-executive director posts for organisations such as Age UK, Keyfund and the BE Group. She is an accountant by trade and also has a background in the pharmaceutical sector as a former CEO at SCM Pharma Ltd. She currently runs her own business based in Sunderland City Centre, as well as being an active supporter of Sunderland Business Improvement District.
She said: “It is a privilege to be appointed to the board of Gentoo; social housing plays a vital role in supporting and building our communities in and around our city. I look forward to bringing together my local and business knowledge to the board and continuing the success of the Gentoo Group.”
Long (pictured below), who is currently finance director at Newcastle-based law firm, Muckle, has spent a significant part of her career working in senior finance roles for Procter & Gamble. She is also currently serving as a director and Trustee at Northumbria University Students Union.
She said: “I am delighted to be joining an organisation with such strong values and a regionally focused strategic agenda. Hailing from the North East, I am looking forward to using my commercially acquired financial and governance skills within the region, and in the social housing sector particularly, which I believe is a cornerstone of our future prosperity here.”
Wealth of experience
Gentoo group chair, Keith Loraine OBE, added: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome both Dianne and Claire to the Gentoo Group Board. They both bring a wealth of valuable experience, skills and knowledge to the board, having worked with some of the country’s biggest businesses and charities both in the public and private sectors.
“I look forward to working with them and the rest of the Board in the years ahead to improve the wide range of homes and services we provide as we deliver our ambitious five-year business plan.”
https://housingdigital.co.uk/ark-announces-appointment-of-jonathan-gould/