Riversmead Housing Association appoints new Executive Director

Published by SRedford for Network Housing Group Limited in Housing and also in Communities

The Board of Riversmead Housing Association, a member of Network Housing Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Huckstep as their new Executive Director.

With a passion and commitment to social housing which extends over 25 years, Paul will lead Riversmead in the next phase of its journey as a community focussed housing provider.

Commenting on his vision for the future, Paul said: “We have the resources to develop more affordable homes to meet the acute housing need in our local communities. However, simply building more houses is not enough. Our social purpose has to go beyond bricks and mortar.

“If we are simply building homes that trap the next generation in poverty and benefit dependency then we will ultimately have failed; failed as an organisation; a sector and society.

“Ultimately we must invest in our local communities, support wealth creation and economic growth in order to improve neighbourhoods and individual life chances.”

In 2011/2012 Riversmead invested over £160,000 supporting community projects and initiatives to improve residents’ lives and neighbourhoods and provide them with opportunities for training and job skills development.

Paul continues: “We are working with our local college, Hertford Regional, to develop a programme of apprenticeships at Riversmead, which will give four young people aged 16-18 years old the opportunity to learn and develop workplace skills whilst achieving a nationally recognised qualification. We have appointed two of our four apprentices, who will each complete either a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Business Administration or Customer Service over the coming year.”

Kevin Brush, Riversmead’s Chair of the Board, said: "I am delighted Paul has accepted this new role of Executive Director. Paul's wealth of experience in housing management and leadership will help us achieve our vision of creating thriving, sustainable communities and building 500 new affordable homes for local people over the next five years.”

Riversmead owns and manages over 4,300 homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Based in Hertford, the Association provides a variety of housing options for young people, families and older people including general rented, flexicare housing, shared ownership and leasehold properties.

Riversmead Housing Association - www.riversmead.org.uk

A member of Network Housing Group - www.networkhg.org.uk