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Inside Housing – News – Southern England landlord seeks new managing director

Umito October 28, 2024

A 7,000-unit housing association has begun searching for a new chief executive, with its current boss leaving after 25 years.

Inside Housing – News – Southern England landlord seeks new managing director

Saxon Weald head office in Horsham (photo: Google Street View)

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Southern England landlord seeks new managing director #UKhousing

A 7,000-unit housing association has begun searching for a new chief executive as its current boss leaves after 25 years #UKhousing

West Sussex-based Saxon Weald is advertising for a new boss after Steven Dennis announced his intention to leave this month.

Mr. Dennis will step down next spring after nearly seven years as chief executive to “pursue new opportunities,” the owner said.

He initially joined Saxon Weald in 2001 as IT manager, a year after the owner was founded.

Last month, Saxon Weald, which operates houses in Sussex and Hampshire, was given a C2 rating for consumption standards under the new regime of the English regulator.

In its judgment, the social housing regulator said there were “some weaknesses in the way Saxon Weald achieves consumer standards outcomes and improvement is required”.

The association has retained its G1/V2 rating in terms of governance and financial viability.

To replace Mr Dennis, Saxon Weald said it was looking for “a highly visible and inclusive leader with a proven track record of success at senior management level”.

The owner’s new boss’ salary will be £179,000, according to the job advert. This figure is just above the industry median general manager base salary, based on Inside the accommodationIt is latest CEO salary survey.

Mr Dennis said: “It has been an incredible 25 years working at Saxon Weald, with the last six as managing director being particularly rewarding.

“I feel privileged to have been part of Saxon Weald’s journey and to have worked with such a dedicated, talented and resilient team.”

In its final full year to the end of March 2024, Saxon Weald reported a slightly reduced surplus of £6.2 million on an increased turnover of £56.8 million.

The association currently has an A3 credit rating and a stable outlook from Moody’s.

Saxon Weald was formed through a transfer of shares from Horsham District Council and converted to a public utility company about six years ago.