After almost nine years of helping to provide strategic direction and oversight to Notting Hill Housing, Paul Hodgkinson chaired his final Group Board meeting last night (Wednesday).
Paul joined NHH as chairman in October 2009 and has provided invaluable support in the organisation’s success over recent years.
More recently, he has played an important role in supporting and working towards our merger with Genesis Housing Association, due to be finalised in April. He is now stepping down and his role at the merged entity will be taken by current Genesis chair Dipesh Shah.
Kate Davies, Chief Executive of Notting Hill Housing, said: “During his time here Paul has helped steer the organisation from a much smaller association to the significant developing association that we are today. He has worked very hard with the board, stakeholders, our tenants, shareholders and staff to create a thriving, profitable and happy organisation.
Coming from the world of property development himself and as a qualified architect, Paul has put a high premium on quality development for London’s low income households. He believes passionately that a great a place to live managed by an excellent landlord has the opportunity to change lives for the better.
Paul said: “The executive team are really well coordinated and have maintained a customer-focused strategy that has generated a fantastic reputation. Building on our ‘Altogether Better’ approach, the staff reinforce the vision of building homes for people who would not otherwise be able to live in London – it’s a really worthwhile endeavour and everyone is committed to doing it well.
“It’s been great fun to chair the dynamic combination of non-execs and executives and they have definitely generated a business which is more than the sum of its parts. I certainly regard my involvement as a purple patch in my career.
The merger with Genesis will allow both organisations to stand on the shoulders of previous generations of supporters and there is no doubt in my mind it will continue to be innovative and energetic in meeting London’s housing demand.
Three other board members, Debra Yudolph, Bukky Bird and Sue Hunt, also attended for the final time. Debra had been chair of Notting Hill Home Ownership, Bukky served on the Development and New Business Committee and Sue chaired the Audit Committee. Sue will remain a member of the new audit committee for a while to help with the transition.
Kate added: “Debra, Bukky and Sue will all be deeply missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with them during their time on our board. Their experience, dynamism and enthusiasm have been invaluable to us and they have always been happy to challenge and scrutinise our work to ensure the best for our present and future residents.
“Everyone at NHH wants to extend a huge thank you to them for all their efforts and wish them the best for the future.”