East of England landlord names new boss to replace long-serving CEO

Prior to that she worked for nearly six years at Accord Housing Association, a predecessor organisation to GreenSquareAccord before the group was formed through a merger in 2021.

In a 30-year career, she has also held senior roles in the health and care sector and spent 12 years as an executive director in the NHS.

Ms Espley, who was awarded an MBE in 2022, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as chief executive and really look forward to joining Hightown in 2025.”

Hightown, which operates homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, currently has a G1/V2 rating with the English regulator. The group saw its outlook from Moody’s upgraded to ‘stable’ last March.

Qadeer Kiani, Hightown’s chair, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Maxine as our new chief executive. I am confident that through Maxine’s leadership, Hightown Housing will continue to thrive and deliver much-needed services to our customers and communities.”

In its last reported full year to the end of March 2024, the association recorded a 42 per cent drop in annual surplus to £10.6m as its interest payments and financing costs rose. Turnover increased to £121m.