Posted 21/09/2021

Swan Housing Association appoints new Chair of Board

Swan Housing Association has confirmed that Pat Billingham will take up the post of Chair of the Board, with effect from 1 October 2021 when Swan’s existing Chair, Valerie Owen OBE concludes her terms of office.

Pat Billingham is an experienced non-executive director with extensive experience in public companies and regulated businesses including as Vice Chair of G15 Catalyst Housing Limited. She brings 17 years’ experience as a partner at global Tax and Accountancy practice Ernst & Young, where she held strategic business leadership roles and advised multi-national and FTSE 100 clients on international and domestic tax strategies, outsourcing and transformational change.

Pat joins Swan as it moves forward with its new Corporate Strategy and brings a strong commitment to the strategy’s values of building customer trust, diversity and financial resilience.

Pat Billingham commented: “I am very much looking forward to starting my role as Chair at Swan Housing Association and in leading the organisation to deliver the new strategy which was launched in October 2020. 

"While many customer facing organisations have similar ambitions to our own about putting the customer first, I believe we have a particular responsibility to our customers as their lives will be affected if they do not feel safe and comfortable in their homes and neighbourhoods. 

"To deliver on our commitments, we need to ensure that we remain focused on our core values and that we continue to combine innovation and ambition from a financially sound base. Our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness will support us to address the many challenges facing the housing sector in the short and long term. I look forward to leading Swan to play our part in improving lives and building strong communities.”