Derwent Living appoints new members to its board

Derwent Living has appointed four new members to its board, bringing with them a range of skills in both housing and other professional services.

The Derby-based housing provider has carefully the four new recruits because of the range and breadth of experience they have.

The appointments also come on the back of rules put in place by the company which states that no one can serve for longer than nine years as a board member. This ensures that there are constantly new and evolving ideas being poured into the company’s strategy.

The four new members are Atul Patel, 53, who has over 30 years experience in social housing and the public sector, and only recently retired from his role as chief executive of Leicester Housing Association-ASRA Group. He has extensive experience in strategy, policy and community development; and operational management experience in all aspects of the housing business.

His previous roles include deputy director at the cabinet office working on neighbourhood renewal and director of regulation at the Housing Corporation, where he was also regional director for the East Midlands. He is currently a Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund & Heritage Lottery Fund.

Martin Shaw, 47, brings with him extensive financial experience, particularly in residential property and related sectors. Since 2009 Shaw has worked for himself under the trading name MCORE Corporate Finance where he works for companies in the areas of corporate finance transactions, corporate development and financial projects. His previous roles have included head of corporate finance at Countrywide and assistant director of corporate finance at Ernst & Young accountants.

Naomi Dobraszczyc, 33, has worked in a number of senior positions in housing. She currently works as director of finance & contracting at Brighter Futures Housing Association in Stoke-on-Trent. Prior to this, she was finance director at Cambridge Housing Society.

Maureen Neal has worked as an academic in various universities for a large part of her career, her most recent position being deputy vice chancellor at Plymouth University.

Peter McCormack, Derwent Living chief executive, commented: “I am very excited about the new additions to our board. I cannot express how important their varying skills and experiences will be, in terms of helping us to provide exceptional services to our residents, as well as building and improving them as well. Each individual has so much enthusiasm and passion for what they do and I know that this energy with be well received by the board. I look forward to new and exciting times ahead.”