David Avery appointed as Chair of Clarion Housing Group Board

David Avery, current Chair of Clarion Housing Association Board, has been appointed Chair of Clarion Housing Group Board, taking over from Neil Goulden who is standing down at the end of his nine-year term.

David has served as a Clarion Housing Group Board member since Clarion’s inception, after Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing merged to form the largest housing association in the country.

Prior to the merger, David served on the Board of Circle Housing and held previous housing association Chair roles at Saxon Weald Homes Ltd and Peabody, as Chair of its Gallions and CBHA subsidiaries.

David also brings with him a wealth of commercial experience and expertise, having been President of European Operations for Novellus Systems Inc, a Fortune 500 company, as well as serving as a Non Executive Director of an NHS Trust.

Clare Miller, Clarion’s Group Chief Executive, said:

“This is a very welcome appointment. David is a passionate advocate for Clarion, and the social housing sector as a whole."

“His appointment will provide valuable continuity and momentum, as David has served as a Board member since the Clarion journey began, helping to steer it through change and transition."

“The business will also benefit greatly from David’s commercial acumen. He is committed to delivering on the Group’s social purpose and is a firm believer that an efficient and well-run modern business is the best foundation for doing so.”

Delivering quality homes and communities

David said:

“It is an honour to take the reins from Neil Goulden, who has been an outstanding Group Chair, and to be working closely with Clare, as we continue to increase the leverage we can make from our scale and breadth of expertise, to deliver quality homes and communities for those inadequately served by the market."

“I also look forward to continuing to grow the strength of the Board as we make a series of new appointments, enabling us to then build on a period of consolidation for the Group.”

David will begin his role as Chair of Clarion Housing Group Board on 26 July. Following this, recruitment will take place for his replacement as Chair of Clarion Housing Association Board, as well as two Group Board member vacancies as terms come to an end.