MICHAEL LENNON TO STEP DOWN FROM GHA IN NEW YEAR

Michael Lennon, Chief Executive of Glasgow Housing Association will be leaving GHA on January 31, 2007, after almost four years in post.The Board agreed with Michael that this is a logical point for him to stand down. He expressed a wish to move on once the GHA had achieved a number of milestones. His efforts and contribution have been hugely valued but his desire to leave, to return to Australia with his family, forced GHA to take stock and consider whether this might be an appropriate time for change in leadership.

GHA Tenant Chair, Sandra Forsythe, said: "The Board and the tenants of GHA are well aware of the massive contribution Michael has made to GHA and to social housing in Glasgow. Michael has been an outstanding Chief Executive and the Board will miss his huge commitment to GHA's work on delivering for tenants."

Michael said: "It has been a privilege to work with GHA and its partners, especially its board, staff and tenants who have been supported me over the past few years. I am delighted that the GHA team has achieved such huge results since stock transfer in March 2003 and I wish the association, and the LHO network, every success in the future."

GHA is at the end of the first main phase of the GHA project and is ahead of target on promises made to the tenants of Glasgow when they voted for stock transfer. Its core investment programme is running ahead of schedule and by year end it will have invested almost £450m in tenants' properties. Early in 07, it will disaggregate its central services and back room functions by moving over 200 staff out to front-line services within the LHO network.

Therefore, the Board has accepted that it is both an appropriate time and in the best interests of both parties for Michael's contract to end now. In reaching the decision, the Board was mindful that once a senior member of staff indicates that he or she wants to leave, it can be difficult for that person to sustain momentum.

The Board now has the opportunity to consider the kind of leader GHA needs from here on. Plans to recruit a new Chief Executive are underway and an interim Acting Chief Executive will be appointed early in 2007.

Donna Stevenson, Director of Strategic Services, who was due to step down in March, will extend her contract to oversee the next crucial period of the Community Ownership Intentions process.

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