News09.12.22by Alex TurnerPlaceShapers has appointed Catherine Ryder from the National Housing Federation (NHF) as its new chief executive. Catherine Ryder SharelinesPlaceShapers has announced its new chief executive #UKhousing The national network of housing associations and ALMOs has announced that Ms Ryder, the director of policy and research at the NHF, will take on the role in early 2023.
She succeeds Rachael Orr, who revealed her departure last month, after more than four years in the role.
Ms Ryder has been at the NHF for nine years. She joined in 2014 as its head of policy, where she had a focus on homelessness and supported housing, before moving into her current position in 2019.
Prior to the NHF, she worked as a strategy manager at the Audit Commission for a decade, leading the development of assessment frameworks for local government. Ms Ryder has also recently spent time working on housing and economic development for the Coast to Capital local enterprise partnership, which operates in Surrey and Sussex.
She said she had seen first-hand “the positive difference community-based housing providers make”, adding that their role had “never been more important”.
“I am delighted that I will have the opportunity to work with, and advocate for, organisations with such a clear social purpose and ambition for their residents and communities,” she said.
“I am looking forward to building on the work already underway at PlaceShapers and continuing to highlight the contribution of members across the country.” Matthew Walker, chair of PlaceShapers, praised Ms Ryder for her “passionate commitment to PlaceShapers’ values” and for “putting place-shaping truly at the heart of decision-making”.
He added: “She has outstanding skills, knowledge and experience to help drive forward our work helping communities to thrive.”
Earlier this year, a report from PlaceShapers argued that Homes England should fund a greater role for housing associations in helping to physically restore neighbourhoods facing economic hardship, rather than simply giving them money to build new homes.
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