Hastoe Housing Association, England’s largest rural social housing provider, has appointed Lindy Morgan as its new Chair of the Board

Effective from 12 May 2022, she will succeed Ed Buscall who has retired after 7 years as Chair and a total of 9 years as a Board member.

Hastoe is an award-winning housing association that owns and manages over 7,500 rented, shared ownership and leasehold homes in over 70 local authority areas and 300 villages in England.

Lindy has previously held a range of executive and non-executive positions including director of Sovereign Development Consortium and chair of Westworks Procurement Ltd. For the past 11 years, Lindy has been on the Board of Abri Housing Association; 4 years as vice chair and the last 3 years as chair.

Lindy Morgan said:

“My passion for affordable homes began when I went through homelessness and then became a tenant, firstly of a local authority and then a housing association. Listening to our customers and delivering services that ensure customer satisfaction sits at the top of my agenda alongside making sure we maximise our opportunities to deliver more quality, affordable and sustainable homes for future generations.

“Through my position as Chair, and working together with the whole Hastoe team, I am ambitious to see us help address housing and economic inequalities that many of our customers face, particularly in our rural communities. I am acutely aware that rising energy and food bills are leading to a cost-of-living crisis particularly for those on the lowest incomes and, with many of our houses in rural locations, the cost of travel is exacerbating the issue. Members of the Board are very aware of the difficulties facing people and we are determined to do what we can to help.

“I am a passionate believer in the right to a decent home that is affordable and the important fundamental role a home plays in the sustainability and strength of communities. My 30 years of housing experience has been based mainly around new homes development as well as mixed use regeneration for local authorities, housing associations and community groups. I hate waste and reinventing the wheel and therefore support a collaborative approach striving to work effectively and efficiently.”

“I'm looking forward to joining and working with the whole team at Hastoe and building on what’s already been accomplished.”

Outgoing Chair, Ed Buscall, said:

“Lindy brings a wealth of experience in regeneration and development and has a deep commitment to community and customer engagement; in fact all those attributes essential for a successful housing association. I wish her and Hastoe all the very best for the future.”

At the heart of Hastoe’s purpose is providing, and championing, quality affordable housing for rural England. The need for this has become even more acute during the pandemic. Hastoe’s Board will be seeking to influence as much as it can the government’s levelling up agenda over the next 12 months and trying to ensure that rural England is included within its plans.