Our Executive Team

Louise Bassett, Chief Executive Officer

As the Chief Executive Officer for Gentoo Group, Louise has over 20 years’ experience in the private sector, in consumer and healthcare organisations. She joined Gentoo Group in October 2015 to support the group’s transformation project.

Before joining Gentoo, Louise spent many years working across Europe on mergers and acquisitions, business transformation and talent management. She held a series of senior HR leadership roles, including HR Director UK, Ireland and Europe Manufacturing Division and Merger Integration Lead Performance and Talent Management at Merck.

Louise, therefore, brings with her extensive knowledge, including HR consulting, business and HR transformation, talent management, change management, merger and acquisitions, organisation development, employee engagement, employee relations, compensation, and benefits and staffing.

Passionate about business and performance improvement and customer service, Louise believes in maximising the potential of people to be the best they can be.

She is also a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Peter Lenehan, Executive Director of Finance

Peter joined Gentoo in February 2019 and brings decades of experience from the private and housing sectors.

He began his career as a chartered accountant with KPMG in Newcastle where he worked with large North East companies such as Nissan and in sectors including heavy building materials, shared services and property.

In 2007, Peter began working in the housing sector with a divisional finance director role at Home Group. He then worked with North Star Housing Group where he got involved in all aspects of finance, including business planning and treasury management.

Peter joined Coast & Country Housing as Corporate Services Director in 2015. During his time there, he helped the organisation manage the impact of social housing rent reductions and oversaw the organisation’s merger with Yorkshire Coast Homes to become Beyond Housing.

Peter is driven by a strong sense of social purpose and believes housing associations can have a real impact on the lives and communities in which they operate.

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 worked at Home Group for 15 years.

Susan provides strategic direction and leadership for the Group’s People, Customer Voice and Marketing, Brand and Communications teams

Susan will influence strategic decisions, making sure colleagues and customers are at the heart of everything they do.

Susan is also Trustee at Smartworks Charity.

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 stock is safe, well maintained and (where practical) has an EPC rating of C by 2030 to help reduce running costs for customers. 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.