Interim Chief Exec has sights set on two star status

Thursday 6th March 2008

Rykneld Homes has appointed a new Interim Chief Executive to help drive improvements to services to secure £60 million directly from Government for Council homes in North East Derbyshire.

Su Gomer brings with her more than 20 years experience in managing the housing sector and delivering innovative housing policies and strategies. She achieved a 2 star Audit Commission Inspection result in just ten months of setting up and leading a similar Arm’s Length Management Housing Organisation (ALMO).

Su said: “I am looking forward to making positive changes to people’s lives and building on the firm foundations laid down by the Rykneld management team. One of my main priorities will be seeking the satisfaction of our tenants because as tenants of the services their views are of the utmost importance to us all.”

Su intends to consult with tenants on a regular basis and develop a robust business plan that will bring about Government investment.

Su, who has a daughter, is no stranger to Derbyshire. Her partner’s role as Scout leader sees them regularly hiking in the hills around Chesterfield.

She continued: “Over the next few weeks and with the support of the chair and the board I intend to meet as many tenants, staff and partners as I can to find out what is working well and what we need to improve on. I do not underestimate the many challenges that we need to meet in improving the provision of services for tenants and thus securing that 2 star badge.

“But I have moved on up the 2 star road before and with the sheer determination of everyone involved we will achieve that vision of securing the money to improve all homes in the district to the standard tenants have a right to expect.”

Su has had more than two decades of experience shaping services in senior management and determining direction, policy and strategy in the housing market.

She has been responsible for delivering front-line services to tenants and leaseholders. Su also achieved a 2 star “good” housing management and maintenance service inspection result of an ALMO within 10 months of its formation.

Her varied career includes sitting on the London Area Procurement Network and planning for the regeneration of a West London estate. She has vast experience in regenerating local communities, getting value for procurement and equality and diversity issues.

Her experience also includes leading on the RESPECT agenda for Anti Social behaviour in 2006. The agenda was so successful that tenant satisfaction increased by a staggering 40% over three years.

“Throughout my career I have always placed modernising services and listening to tenants as my top priorities,” Su said.

“I am very enthusiastic about this new challenge and am confident that services can be improved to 2 star level with a lot of hard work and determination.”

Rykneld Homes was launched as an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) in April 2007, enabling the bid to Government for an additional £60million to fund improvements and repairs.

The organisation has already made vast improvements to people’s homes, including extending repair times, launching Choice Move, a new way of allocating properties and establishing a £100,000 community initiative budget focusing on the issues that customers find most important.

Posted by Kim for Rykneld Homes