Cestria strengthens its management team

Published by Craig Downs for Cestria Community Housing in Housing and also in Communities

Cestria Community Housing has welcomed the appointment of two senior managers to its management team.

The Chester-le-Street based social landlord has appointed Zoey Hawthorne as Head of Properties and Assets and Margaret Ferguson as Head of Neighbourhoods.

Zoey (42) joins the Association after eight years with Home Group where she had a variety of senior management roles, most recently as Director of Asset Management, for which she was responsible for housing investment planning and commercial property management.

She brings with her over 17 years housing sector experience after working in various roles for large housing associations across the country, including Anchor Housing and Places for People.

Zoey moved into the housing sector after completing her Estate Management degree at Northumbria University. 

In her new role, she is responsible for leading on the development of new homes, investing in Cestria’s existing housing stock and the delivery of planned and responsive maintenance services.  

She commenced her appointment at the same time the Association started work on its first ever new build housing development of affordable homes on the former Crossleas site in Sacriston, Chester-le-Street.  The scheme will consist of 22 two bedroom bungalows and is expected to be completed in Spring 2013.

Commenting on her appointment, she said: “This role represents a great opportunity for me to work with a community-based association, leading on managing and developing Cestria’s property investment offer for customers.  I am delighted to be on board.”

Zoey, who lives in Durham, enjoys keeping fit, walking, travelling and spending time with her children during her spare time.

Meanwhile, the Association has also welcomed Margaret Ferguson (39) to its management team.

Margaret joins Cestria Community Housing as Head of Neighbourhoods from social landlord, livin in Sedgefield, County Durham where she was Home Choice Manager.

Margaret began her housing career with Gateshead Council in 1994 after completing a law degree at Hull University and postgraduate diploma in legal practice from the College of Law in York. She worked as a housing management trainee for Gateshead Council, progressing to the position of housing manager before joining Sedgefield Borough Council (now livin) in 2001 as Senior Housing Manager until 2010 when she took on the role of Home Choice Manager.

In her new role at Cestria, Margaret will be responsible for leading the housing management service, including neighbourhood, tenancy and estate management, allocations and the management of empty homes.

She said: “I am delighted to join Cestria at such an exciting time in the Association’s journey. I look forward to working closely with tenants, residents and key partners to deliver excellent services and build thriving communities that we can all be proud of.”

Margaret lives in Coxhoe, County Durham and enjoys reading, swimming, socialising with friends and family and walking her dog.

Paul Stephens, Director of Housing and Communities at Cestria Community Housing, said: “Both Zoey and Margaret bring a wealth of expertise and experience within the housing sector and this will not only improve the service we deliver to our tenants but will also add strength to our management team.

“One of Cestria’s main objectives is to grow our business and both Zoey and Margaret will help us to achieve this.  Building better neighbourhoods, investing in our existing homes and developing new affordable homes is a key priority for Cestria now and in the future.”