Lord Stoneham to Chair Housing 21

Press Release

For immediate release 19 July 2011

Lord Stoneham to Chair Housing 21

Housing 21 has announced the forthcoming appointment of Lord Ben Stoneham as Chair Designate to replace the retiring chair, Professor David Grayson CBE.

Lord Stoneham, who was made a Liberal Democrat Life Peer in January 2011, is due to step down from his role as Chair of the Hampshire-based First Wessex Housing Group next year. His experience of the sector is a good fit with Housing 21, a leading provider of care, health and housing for older people.

Much of his business career has been in the newspaper industry, both in regional and national newspapers. He started his political career in the 1970s and his most recent paid role with the Liberal Democratic party was as Operations Director. He is currently pensions spokesperson and specialist on regeneration, housing and the economy.

Commenting on Lord Stoneham’s appointment, Pushpa Raguvaran, chief executive of Housing 21 said: "I am delighted that Lord Stoneham will be joining Housing 21. I have no doubt that his considerable experience of chairing commercial, public and voluntary bodies will be of great value in providing the strategic leadership to support Housing 21’s continued growth and development."

Pushpa Raguvaran has also paid tribute to outgoing chair, David Grayson: "In the five years that David has been with Housing 21 the organisation has journeyed from being a social landlord with a growing care business into one of the largest social enterprises in the UK delivering a range of services for older people. David’s energy, enthusiasm and passionate commitment have undoubtedly been a key factor in our success."

David Grayson added: "One of the most personally satisfying things that I have done in life has been to chair Housing 21. It has been an enormous privilege to see the organisation grow, particularly through the growth in care services, our specialist dementia facility and the recent acquisition and integration of Claimar Care.

"Lord Stoneham is joining Housing 21 as we launch our new five year Corporate Plan, which is both intellectually rigorous as well as suitably ambitious. I am sure he will savour the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

For further information, please contact Wendy Gornicki, PR & Information Officer, Housing 21 on 0370 192 4338 or email wendy.gornicki@housing21.co.uk

Housing 21’s mission is to promote independence and choice for older people through quality care, health and housing services. It provides around 124,000 hours of community care each week and manages 18,200 sheltered and extra care apartments. 

Keep up to date with Housing 21 at www.facebook.com/housing21.co.uk or via our website www.housing21.co.uk