We have further strengthened our governance structure with the appointment of three new independent board members.
Andrew Lister, Nick Forbes CBE, and Morven Smith will bring a wealth of experience to the Group working alongside the existing non-executive board to deliver our strategic vision.
Andrew has spent over 25 years working around the globe as a Chief Information and Technology Officer for several multinational companies across range of diverse fields, including outsourced business services, construction, operations centres, and pharmaceuticals. Nick has significant political working knowledge and expertise within central and local government, public and voluntary sectors, while Morven will bring invaluable experience as a senior Human Resources and Organisational Development professional currently working in the NHS.
Andrew said of his new role, “I am looking forward to helping Gentoo deliver their ambitious vision for the customers and communities of Sunderland, and I am committed to contributing to its ongoing success.”
Nick, the former leader of Newcastle City Council added, “There’s a strong alignment between Gentoo’s commitment to social purpose and the values that drive me in public life – social justice, fairness and equality - so when the position was advertised, I knew it was something I wanted to apply for.”
Morven, Director of Workforce and OD at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, “I feel very aligned with the values that drive Gentoo and these embody the principles I will endeavour to bring to the board. It is important to support and embrace a commitment to social purpose and create better lives for our customers in Sunderland.”
Louise Bassett, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo said, “I am delighted to welcome Andrew, Nick, and Morven to our Board and am really looking forward to seeing how they can help us shape the future of our organisation, ensuring our customers and communities are at the heart of everything we do.”
We provide more than 60,000 people in Sunderland with a place they can call home. A values-led organisation with a clear social purpose, we believe that everyone has the right to live in a good quality home that they can afford.
Every year we invest millions of pounds to keep existing homes safe, secure, and compliant. They also play their part in helping to deal with the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern homes for rent in Sunderland.
