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 Wright is Gentoo's Executive Director of Finance and Procurement. He leads the Group's financial strategy, treasury management, business planning and procurement functions, ensuring the organisation remains financially resilient and well-positioned to deliver its long-term ambitions.
A Chartered Management Accountant with more than 30 years' experience across commercial and not-for-profit organisations, Paul has significant expertise in securing and managing funding, leading major financial transactions and driving value-for-money improvements.
Paul works closely with the Board and executive colleagues to support effective decision-making, robust governance and sustainable growth, ensuring Gentoo can continue investing in homes, services and communities.
Stephen Flounders, Executive Director Regulatory and Business Services
Stephen Flounders is Gentoo's Executive Director of Regulatory and Business Services. He is responsible for leading the organisation's approach to governance, regulatory compliance, risk, assurance, health and safety, and fire and building safety.
Since joining Gentoo in 2019 as Head of Health and Safety, Stephen has held a number of leadership positions before joining the Executive Team in 2023. He has played a key role in strengthening Gentoo's governance and assurance frameworks and supporting the delivery of the organisation's corporate strategies.
Prior to Gentoo, Stephen spent more than 15 years working across health and safety and professional services, including roles with KPMG and EY. Passionate about the North East and the communities Gentoo serves, Stephen is committed to ensuring customers and colleagues remain at the centre of decision-making and service delivery.
Susan Fulton, Executive Director of Customer, People and Engagement
Susan Fulton is Gentoo's Executive Director of Customer, People and Engagement. She provides strategic leadership for the Group's customer services, people, customer voice, marketing, brand and communications functions.
Before joining Gentoo, Susan held leadership roles across the technology, banking and housing sectors, leading customer service, culture and transformation programmes focused on improving customer and colleague experiences. She spent 15 years with Home Group before joining Gentoo and has more than 18 years of leadership experience within social housing.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Susan is passionate about creating a culture where customers and colleagues are at the heart of decision-making. She is committed to delivering outstanding services, strengthening employee experience and ensuring customer feedback drives continuous improvement.
Marc Edwards, Executive Director of Property
Marc Edwards is Gentoo's Executive Director of Property, responsible for leading all property-related services across the organisation, including property maintenance, property safety, planned investment, asset management and asset sustainability.
Marc joined Gentoo in 2018 and was previously the Group's Director of Asset and Sustainability before joining the Executive Team in 2024. He has more than a decade of experience in social housing and has developed extensive expertise in investment, asset management and property services.
Marc believes everyone should have a safe, secure and well-maintained home they are proud to call their own. He is passionate about delivering high-quality services for customers and ensuring Gentoo's homes remain safe, warm and sustainable. He also leads the North East Housing Partnership's Home Quality and Investment workstream.
Sam England, Director of People
Sam England is Gentoo's Director of People, responsible for leading the organisation's people strategy and supporting a high-performing, inclusive and sustainable workforce.
She oversees key areas including talent management, leadership development, organisational design, employee engagement and workforce planning. With more than 20 years' experience in the people profession and over a decade at Gentoo, Sam has extensive expertise in delivering cultural and organisational transformation.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Sam is also a Board Member of the Foundation of Light and Co-Chair of the Sunderland Real Living Wage initiative. She is passionate about creating opportunities for colleagues and communities, championing fair pay and supporting the development of future talent across the North East.
Chris Roberts, Director of Customer
Chris Roberts is Gentoo's Director of Customer, responsible for leading customer services, housing and safety and support operations across the organisation.
Chris brings extensive customer service leadership experience from both the housing and private sectors. Before joining Gentoo, he held senior roles with Home Group and Beyond Housing, as well as customer-focused organisations including Ocado and Barclays.
Based in Sunderland, Chris is passionate about delivering excellent services and ensuring customers' voices shape the way services are designed and delivered. He is committed to strengthening both customer and colleague experience and driving continuous improvement across Gentoo's services.
Peter Akers, Director of Asset and Sustainability
Peter Akers is Gentoo's Director of Asset and Sustainability, responsible for leading the Group's investment in customers' homes to ensure they are safe, warm, modern and energy efficient.
With a strong focus on delivering value through investment, Peter oversees how Gentoo uses data, insight and customer feedback to make informed decisions about homes and neighbourhoods. He leads the delivery of a £50 million annual investment programme, ensuring improvements deliver the best possible outcomes for customers.
Peter believes everyone deserves a home they are proud to live in. He is passionate about improving homes, enhancing customer experience and creating sustainable communities that support current and future generations.
Gemma Darville, Director of Safety, Risk and Assurance
Gemma Darville is Gentoo's Director of Safety, Risk and Assurance. She leads the Group's approach to health and safety, fire and building safety, risk management and assurance, ensuring strong compliance and effective oversight across the organisation.
Gemma joined Gentoo in 2003 as an apprentice gardener and has progressed through a variety of roles, including training as a health and safety adviser. Her career has provided extensive experience across the organisation and a deep understanding of Gentoo's homes, services and communities.
She is passionate about driving positive culture change across the housing sector, ensuring the lessons from Grenfell are never forgotten and that safety, accountability and transparency remain at the heart of decision-making. Gemma is also a member of the Building Safety Regulator's Building Advisory Committee and a trustee of Feeding Families.
Lisa Graveling, Director of Communication and Engagement
Lisa Graveling is Gentoo's Director of Communications and Engagement, responsible for leading the Group's communications, engagement and brand activity.
With more than 20 years' experience, including over a decade in housing communications, Lisa has also worked across consumer and technology sectors. She is passionate about clear, accessible communication that helps customers, colleagues and partners understand what is happening and how it affects them.
Lisa works closely with teams across the business to ensure feedback informs decision-making and communication remains open, honest and engaging. She is also a trustee of Smart Works Newcastle, supporting women into employment and helping build confidence for the future.
Chris White, Director of Finance and Procurement
Chris White is Gentoo's Director of Finance and Procurement. He is responsible for overseeing the Group's financial planning, reporting, treasury management and procurement functions, supporting strong financial performance and value for money across the organisation.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chris began his career with PwC before moving into the financial services sector. He has held senior finance leadership roles across a range of organisations, including building societies and pension firms, developing extensive expertise in financial management, strategy and organisational performance.
Born and raised in the North East, Chris is passionate about supporting the long-term prosperity of the region. He is committed to ensuring Gentoo remains financially resilient and well-positioned to invest in homes, services and communities.
Joanne Gordon, Development and Regeneration Director
Joanne Gordon is Gentoo's Development and Regeneration Director, responsible for leading the delivery of the Group's Growth Strategy, Affordable Development Programme and regeneration ambitions across Sunderland and the wider North East. As a member of Gentoo's Senior Leadership Team, she oversees the delivery of high-quality new homes and regeneration opportunities that support current and future customers.
With more than 30 years' experience in housing, regeneration and development, Joanne has led major housing and regeneration programmes, secured significant public and private sector investment, and built strategic partnerships with local authorities, government agencies and investors. She has previously held senior leadership roles across a number of housing and regeneration organisations in the North East.
Joanne is passionate about delivering affordable homes, creating sustainable communities and supporting long-term economic growth. She is committed to increasing housing delivery, unlocking regeneration opportunities and ensuring Gentoo continues to play a leading role in shaping the future of housing and regeneration across the region.