Connexus has appointed former Wagamama chief executive Thomas Heier and NHS foundation trust non-executive director Angela Adimora to its board.
The pair join the 11,000-home rural housing association, which operates in Shropshire and Herefordshire, as non-executive directors. From 1 January 2027, Adimora will chair the People Committee and Heier will chair the Customer Committee.
Heier led restaurant chain Wagamama through a period of significant change and growth. His background includes organisational change, culture, customer experience and leadership across large, complex organisations.
Adimora is a non-executive director and People Committee chair at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. She has worked across healthcare, education, logistics, retail and regulated sectors.
She is also a governor at the University of Salford, where she sits on the governing council and the Finance and Resources Committee. She has previously served as an independent non-executive director at the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Kate Smith, chief executive of Connexus, said: “We are pleased to welcome Thomas and Angela to Connexus. They bring new ideas and have vast experience from across different sectors, including valuable expertise in culture, business transformation, governance and customer experience.
“Their insight will be extremely valuable as we continue to strengthen and transform our services and deliver across the rural communities we serve.”
Heier said: “Connexus has a clear ambition to improve and evolve over the next few years. Strong leadership, culture and effective engagement all play an important role in successful transformation, and I look forward to working with the leadership at Connexus and contributing my experience in these areas.”
Adimora said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Connexus board. The organisation has an important role to play in the future of our rural communities, and I’m keen to bring my experience to the organisation as it continues to improve homes, services and the customer experience.”
Smith added: “I’d also like to thank Nicola de Iongh and Simon Ewins who leave the board in December after completing six-year terms. They have made significant contributions to the governance of Connexus, and we would like to thank them both for their commitment over the years.”
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