Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) has appointed Mike Kirk, chair of Hyde Housing Group, as chair of its board, succeeding Valerie Lee.
Lee has stepped down after completing her term.
The appointment follows the launch of PCH’s 10-year business plan and £250m of Strategic Partner funding from Homes England. The funding will support delivery of 1,500 affordable homes across Devon and Cornwall.
Kirk previously chaired VIVID following the merger of First Wessex and Sentinel Housing Associations. Hyde, which he currently chairs, holds regulatory gradings of G1 for governance, V2 for financial viability, and C1 for the consumer standard.
He has also held senior roles in regulated industries, financial services, communications, and charities. He is a trustee of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and a non-executive director of Housing Diversity Network.
As chair, Kirk will lead the PCH board in supporting the organisation’s long-term plans. These include investing £1.2bn in homes, communities, and services over the next decade, strengthening resident influence, and helping to address affordable housing need across the South West.
Kirk said: “I’m delighted to be joining PCH and I’m looking forward to getting out and about, meeting residents and hearing directly about their experiences of their homes, neighbourhoods and services.
“The board has an important role in making sure PCH is well run, makes good decisions and stays focused on what matters most to residents. I want to help make our work more visible and accessible, explain clearly what we do and create more opportunities for residents to understand and influence the decisions we make.
“I’m joining PCH at an exciting time, but my first priority is simple: to listen, learn and get to know the people and communities we are here to serve.
“Ultimately I want to make sure PCH is always shaped around residents, ensuring our services are co-designed with them and are of a consistent high-quality.”
Jonathan Cowie, chief executive of PCH, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mike to PCH. He brings significant experience, insight and leadership from both within and beyond the housing sector.
“His appointment comes at an important time for PCH as we begin delivering our new business plan and continue investing in homes and communities across Plymouth and the wider South West.
“I would also like to thank Valerie Lee for her dedication, leadership and support during her time as chair. She has made a significant contribution to PCH and leaves a strong platform for the future.”
Main image: Mike Kirk, new chair of Plymouth Community Homes. Credit: Plymouth Community Homes
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