Sebert Cox appointed Chairman of Derwentside Homes

Published by Craig Downs for Derwentside Homes Ltd in Housing and also in Communities

Sebert Cox OBE has been appointed as the new Chairman of Derwentside Homes.

He becomes the first paid Chairman of the Board and replaces former Chair, Steve Errington who stepped down due to other work commitments.

Sebert brings over 30 years of experience which he has achieved through senior management and board roles in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He spent 11 years in central government before establishing his own consultancy partnership in 2001.

In addition to his role as Chairman, he also serves as Chairman of the National Probation Association (the employers’ organisation and national voice for all 35 Probation Trusts in England and Wales) and Chairman of the Durham Tees Valley Probation Trust, accountable to the Justice Secretary for delivery of probation services in the sub-region.

Between 1973 and 2001 he held a number of senior posts in the Probation Service both in Northumbria and in London where he was responsible for advising ministers on strategic planning and the modernisation of the national probation estate.

Sebert holds a Master’s Degree in Social Services Management which he gained at the University of Lancaster and was awarded an OBE in 2004 for services to the Home Office.

Away from the Probation Service, Sebert was a Board Member and Chairman of the North British Housing Group from 1981 and a co-founder of the Places for People Group, serving as Chairman of the Group from 1997-2004.

Commenting on his appointment, Sebert who is married with two children and three grandchildren and lives in Iveston, near Consett, County Durham, said: “I am very pleased to be joining Derwentside Homes as Chairman of its Board. It’s my local housing association and is an organisation that I have admired over recent times because of its innovative thinking and ambition.

“I have a long and varied history in housing and social care and I am therefore very excited about being able to help the company rise to its next phase of growth.

“I am looking forward to meeting and working with tenants, fellow board members and staff of the organisation over the coming months and years.”

Geraldine Wilcox, Chief Executive of Derwentside Homes, said: “On behalf of our Board, staff and tenants, I would like to welcome Sebert to the organisation.  He brings with him a wealth of experience and a wide range of skills in chairing and leading large complex housing organisations in a challenging environment and I am confident that he will add value to the organisation now and in the future.”

Sebert commenced his role as Chairman of Derwentside Homes in January.