Cestria Community Housing welcomes new Chair

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

Cestria Community Housing has appointed a new Chair to its Board of Management.

David Butler joins theCountyDurhamhousing association following the departure of Paul Tinnion, who stepped down after serving nearly six years as Chair of the Board and the previous Shadow Board.

David has an impressive track record in housing with over forty years experience including 15 years as Director of Housing at Newcastle City Council and 10 years as the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

He began his career in 1966 at Birmingham City Council and worked at Tynemouth Borough Council,North Tynesideand Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Councils before joining Newcastle City Council in 1982 as Deputy Director of Housing.

He was appointed as Director of Housing at Newcastle in 1984, aged 34 and became President of the Chartered Institute of Housing in 1992/93 and then Chief Executive in October 1998 before retiring in January 2008. 

Since then, David has acted as an Adviser to Dunelm Property Services, part of the Esh Group of Companies, and was a member of the North East Council of the Learning and Skills Council. He is currently a member of the Property Committee of Durham Cathedral.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to join Cestria Community Housing as its Chair. The association has developed considerably since it was launched in February 2008 and credit is due to Paul Tinnion for his leadership over this period.”

“I believe that our role is reflected in our name – Cestria Community Housing – helping people to find decent homes and providing services which benefit the community. That’s at the heart of what we do and in the current economic climate that work has never been more important. It’s why I am delighted to be involved again in the mainstream of housing at a local level and why I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues on the Board and with the staff in helping achieve the Association’s vision of creating safe, happy and vibrant communities.” 

Paul Fiddaman, Chief Executive of Cestria Community Housing, said: “I would like to welcome to David to Cestria Community Housing as Chair of the Board.  He brings with him a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills that will not only benefit the organisation but also the service we deliver to our tenants and our local communities.

“I am confident that David will give us the right leadership qualities to take the organisation forward.”

David’s appointment will be formally announced at Cestria’s Annual General Meeting on Monday 24 September.