Plymouth Community Homes has appointed Clive Turner as its new chief executive following a rigorous national recruitment process.

Mr Turner, who is currently Director for Community Services at Plymouth City Council, will take up the top position in the new independent not-for profit-local housing association in the spring.

Plymouth Community Homes will take on the management of the Council’s housing stock from October 2009.

The appointment was agreed unanimously by a panel made up of members of the shadow board of Plymouth Community Homes.

National advertisements were placed towards the end of last year and attracted a very strong field of candidates.

The recruitment process included an interview and assessment process followed by a second round of interviews and presentations to staff and tenants, who were invited to put questions to the candidates.

Mr Turner worked for the Housing Corporation as a Director of Investment and Regeneration before he joined the City Council as Director of Housing in 2004. He has also worked as Chief Executive of the Stonham Housing Association.

Mr Turner said: “I am delighted to have been offered this exciting opportunity to lead Plymouth Community Homes and am very much looking forward to working with staff and key partners to deliver improved services to tenants and residents.

“I have really enjoyed my time with the City Council and I’m very pleased that I will be continuing to work with key partners and stakeholders across the city.”

A selection panel is to interview five candidates for the post of Finance Director at Plymouth Community Homes at the end of this month.