16 August 2010
Two Castles Housing Association appoints new Chairman
Two Castles Housing Association has appointed Michael Johnson as its new Board Chairman for the next three years.
Michael, who is from Sunderland originally, has a wealth of valuable experience in the housing sector. He was previously Chair of Derwent and Solway Housing Association in Workington and a board member of Harvest Housing. He is currently a tenant board member of the Independent Housing Ombudsman service, which represents 2.1million tenants across the country.
Michael has also worked with Durham City Council’s Area Housing Committee and is Clerk to Lakes Parish Council in Ambleside. He takes on the role of Two Castles Housing Association Board Chairman after John Hughes came to the end of his three year term in July.
Importantly, Michael is also a resident of Two Castles Housing Association, living at Chapel Stile in South Lakeland. He is the Association’s first resident Board Chairman and hopes to visit as many schemes over the coming months to meet as many residents as possible and get their views.
Michael said: “I am very proud to take on this role and it’s fantastic that the Two Castles’ Board has elected a resident as Chairman. It sends a clear message out that the Association puts residents at the heart of everything it does.
“Being a Two Castles’ resident myself gives me a direct insight into the experience of tenants and leaseholders, but also allows me to promote the residents’ point of view – as opposed to the governance or management viewpoint to the Board – which is refreshing.”
He continued: “I am very respectful of the way that Two Castles has been managed in the past and hope I can continue and improve on the already good work in within the next 18 months.”
Stephanie Murphy, chief executive of Two Castles Housing Association, said: “Michael has pledged to put the residents at the centre of all he does in his new role. Michael’s experience for us is two fold – he has years of fantastic experience in housing, but as a resident he is able to see things from both perspectives. We look forward to seeing the benefits he will bring as Board Chairman of Two Castles Housing Association.”
