New board and senior team appointments strengthen NHC’s mission to deliver for members and communities in the North

We have strengthened our leadership team with two new board members, Chief Executive of Pickering & Homes and Chair of the Hull and East Riding Housing Partnership, Claire Warren, and Chief Executive of Calderdale Council and President of Solace, Robin Tuddenham.

Saqib Saleem, Manningham Housing Association’s Director of Operations joins as a Board Associate through the NHC’s non-executive director (NED) leadership development programme, which offers training, mentoring and board-level exposure to support the development of rising stars from diverse backgrounds within the sector. The programme, devised with support from the Housing Diversity Network, aims to increase board diversity by bringing in a wider range of skills and life experiences including filling professional skills gaps within the NHC Board Committees.

We’re also pleased to welcome back Catherine Wilmot as Executive Director of Finance, Governance and Improvement. Catherine is a familiar face at the NHC having previously been Executive Director (Finance and Operations) between 2018 and early 2024.

The new recruits join us at a pivotal time. Over the past year, Government investment in social housing has grown significantly, and devolution has deepened with increasing powers for northern metro mayors. After successfully campaigning for change, the NHC’s focus is now on supporting members to deliver Government ambitions, including through Housing Partnerships that work closely with mayors across the North. The NHC has also launched Renew, an inquiry looking into how housing-led regeneration can drive growth and support communities across the North.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“I’m pleased to welcome Claire, Robin and Saqib to the board. It’s a privilege to have a board which offers such fantastic insight and expertise. It’s particularly exciting to welcome Saqib as the first participant in our NED training programme. It’s vital our board is representative of our membership, and communities in the North. It should include people from diverse backgrounds with different life experiences to make sure a wide range of perspectives are represented. We will continue to run the programme and hope it will empower people to take their first steps into non executive leadership roles.

“It’s also great to welcome back Catherine, who has contributed so much to the NHC. It’s testament to the strength of our culture that she decided to return. Catherine and the new board members will be instrumental in helping us deliver our new corporate plan.”

Executive Director of Finance, Governance and Improvement Catherine Wilmot said:

“I’m really pleased to return to the NHC. We have a fantastic team of colleagues who are committed to our mission to make sure everyone has access to a safe, warm home they can afford in a place they’re proud of. It’s a friendly and supportive place to work and there’s a positive and welcoming atmosphere.”

Housing Diversity Network Chief Executive Mushtaq Khan said:

“We were delighted to work with NHC on this recruitment process. We’re firm believers that inclusive and diverse recruitment is about investing in the future leadership of organisations and opening doors that have historically remained closed. Our programmes aren’t just about opportunity — they’re about equity, representation, and ensuring that the communities we serve can finally see themselves reflected at every level of the housing sector.”

You can find out more about the NHC board here.