Today, we've announced the appointment of five Board directors to further strengthen our Group Combined Board, improve our diversity and ensure that we have the skills and capabilities to deliver our ambitious corporate strategy.
Following a highly competitive recruitment exercise, the successful candidates Dr Mary-Kathryn Adams, Jocelyn McConnachie, Lou Taylor and Kat Thorne will take up their new roles with effect from 4 August 2021.
Kat Thorne, a next-generation Board director, will join initially as co-optees in line with Abri’s succession planning, while the remaining three have been appointed as Non-Executive Directors.
Collectively, these four new appointments bring substantial, senior-level experience in a wide range of disciplines including: housing; social and environmental sustainability; equality, diversity and inclusion; strategy and research; customer and digital transformation; community partnerships; finance and treasury management.
They will play a crucial role in helping us to meet our strategic aims to create more homes, invest in communities, provide outstanding services and move towards becoming a net-zero-carbon organisation.
In addition, the Board made a decision to amalgamate the role of the vice-chair and the senior independent director into one post. Current Board Member Joanna Makinson assumes the amalgamated role with immediate effect.
Commenting on the appointments, Chair of our Group Combined Board, Wayne Morris said:
“A strong, diverse Board is critical to Abri’s long-term success. I’m delighted that we have attracted five high calibre individuals. They will bring a wealth of relevant skills and diverse experiences to complement and add to our existing Board capabilities. I very much look forward to working with our new directors and warmly welcome them to the Group.”
Our Group Chief Executive, Gary Orr, added:
“The breadth and depth of talent the Board has appointed will aid our organisation greatly. It will enable Abri to navigate the increasingly complex challenges of digital transformation, shifting demographics and carbon neutrality and ensure that we continue to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. The entire executive team are looking forward to working with our renewed Board to realise our strategic aims: to build more homes, invest in communities and provide outstanding services.”
Dr Mary-Kathryn Adams
Dr Mary-Kathryn Adams is currently Director of Strategy at the research agency Simetrica-Jacobs, having previously spent seven years at the Housing Association’s Charitable Trust (HACT), as Deputy Chief Executive and in senior research and strategy roles. She has extensive experience in housing, strategy and research and will become a member of Abri’s Customer Services, Performance and Integration and Transformation committees.
Ms Jocelyn McConnachie
Ms Jocelyn McConnachie is currently Deputy Chair of Western Power Distribution’s Customer Engagement Committee and a Non-Executive Board Member at Western Isles NHS. She has held senior posts with National Grid, E.ON Energy and Calmac Ferries. She is highly experienced in leading customer and digital transformation programmes and cultural change. Jocelyn will become a member of Abri’s People and Culture Committee.
Mr Lou Taylor
Mr Lou Taylor was co-opted to Abri’s Group Board in November 2020. He has more than 20 years’ experience in media, advertising and community-based enterprises and is currently a non-executive member of Hampshire Constabulary Force Executive and a strategic board member of the John Hansard Gallery in Southampton. He has considerable experience of creating partnerships to support local communities and running Black History Month in Southampton. Lou will join Abri’s Customer Services and Performance Committee.
Ms Kat Thorne
Ms Kat Thorne is Director of Sustainability at Kings College London, having previously held senior positions with the University of Greenwich and Jones Lang Lasalle. She has 17 years’ experience in leading the implementation of social and environmental sustainability strategies. Kat has been co-opted as a next-generation director for an initial period of 12 months. She will become a member of Abri’s Development and Assets Committee.
