Our Executive Team
The Executive Team leads our workforce. Each executive director is responsible for an area of the business. They are responsible for compliance with Regulatory, economic and consumer standards.
Louise Bassett, Chief Executive Officer
Louise Bassett has been Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo Group since 2023, having formerly been Gentoo’s Executive Director of Corporate Services.
Prior to joining Gentoo, Louise spent over 20 years’ in the pharmaceutical and consumer health sector where she worked in senior HR leadership roles across Europe on business transformation, organisation development, talent management and mergers and acquisitions.
Louise is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and is passionate about business and the difference people and culture make to organisation performance and customer service.
Paul Wright, Executive Director of Finance
Paul joined Gentoo in 2021 as Director of Finance and Procurement. He has played a key role in shaping our financial strategy and long‑term planning.
Paul brings extensive senior finance experience, having previously held Finance Director roles at Carrier Rental Systems and Foundation of Light.
He brings real financial expertise and a clear understanding of Gentoo's ambitious strategy to become the best social housing provider in the country and make sure our customers are at the heart of everything we do.
Stephen Flounders, Executive Director Regulatory and Business Services
Stephen joined our Executive team in 2023 in the newly created role of Executive Director Regulatory & Business Services. Prior to this, Stephen was part of the Senior Leadership Team at Gentoo as Director of Risk and Assurance.
Before joining Gentoo in 2019 as Head of Health and Safety, Stephen worked as a Health and Safety professional for over 15 years, and worked for KPMG, EY and other large organisations.
Stephen has always had strong ties to the North East from growing up in Hartlepool, to studying at the University of Sunderland and the city has always been close to his heart. He is passionate about working for an organisation who has an impact on the city, and wants all customers and colleagues to be at the forefront of decision making at Gentoo.
Stephen played a big role in launching the Corporate Strategy in 2023 and is committed to making sure it is delivered throughout the organisation.
Stephen is a member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
Susan Fulton, Executive Director of Customer, People and Engagement
Susan joined our Executive team in the newly created role of Executive Director of People, Culture and Engagement. Prior to joining Gentoo, Susan spent time in the private sector in the technology and banking sectors, Susan worked at Home Group for 15 years.
Susan provides strategic direction and leadership for the Group’s Customer, People, Customer Voice and Marketing, Brand and Communications teams.
She is passionate about enhancing customer and colleague experience to ensure we constantly aim to provide good services and listen, care and act on customer feedback.
Marc Edwards, Executive Director of Property
Marc joined the Executive Team in September 2024 in the newly created Executive Director of Property position after nearly six years with the Group. Prior to this, Marc was part of the Senior Leadership Team at Gentoo as Director of Asset and Sustainability.
Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the new role with over 10 years experience of working in the social housing sector.
Marc believes everyone should have a safe and secure place to live that they are proud to call home. He is committed to ensuring all the Group’s homes are warm, safe, modern and well maintained. Marc is passionate about delivering great services for customers and leads all our property related services including Property Maintenance, Property Safety, Investment and Asset Management. Marc is also passionate about supporting Sunderland City Council’s Low Carbon Framework to become a carbon neutral city by 2040.
Marc is also a Non-Executive Director at Keelman Homes Ltd. and a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Andrew Lister, Executive Director of Transformation
Andrew has joined the Executive Team after having served as a Gentoo Board member for the past two years. Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the team and he will lead the Group’s PMO, business analysis, and business intelligence teams, with a focus on accelerating digital transformation across the organisation.
Andrew has previously held senior roles at organisations including Balfour Beatty and Serco, and has led major transformation programmes focused on improving service levels, customer satisfaction, cost savings, and digital innovation such as cloud migrations, big data, and analytics.