New chief executive for CIH as Terrie Alafat announces retirement

News01 Aug 2019Sarah Williams

Terrie Alafat has announced that she will retire as chief executive of sector body the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), with current deputy chief executive Gavin Smart taking over the role.

Terrie Alafat at Housing 2019 in Manchester in June (picture: Guzelian)

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CEO @CIHhousing Terrie Alafat announces retirement, with @GavinSmartCIH set to take up the role #ukhousing #socialhousingfinance

Ms Alafat, who has held the position since 2015, announced this week that she will step down at the end of November.

Prior to joining the organisation, she held roles in central and local government, including director of housing in the then-Department for Communities and Local Government – and was awarded a CBE in 2013 for services to homeless people. In December last year, she began a term as chair of Hestia, a support charity for adults and children in crisis.

Gavin Smart joined the CIH as director of policy and practice in 2012 from the National Housing Federation, where he was assistant director for research and futures. He became deputy CEO in 2014.

“The CIH is now on a sustainable financial footing. Our accounts this year show a £50,000 loss, compared to more than £1m last year; and in the second half of the year we returned to profitability. And we achieved this by growing revenues and profits in events, conferences and learning. Our UK regional network is strong, and we have a fast-growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We have launched successful membership initiatives, including a real emphasis on encouraging young people to work in housing and join the profession, and we have a stronger than ever position on policy and being the voice of the profession.”

She added: “I leave the CIH in good hands; Gavin will be an excellent chief executive, and we have a strong senior team and governing board, who I know will support him as they have me.”

Geraldine Howley, who chairs the CIH’s governing board, said: “Terrie has been a truly transformative chief executive and an exemplary professional. Her contribution to the CIH and the housing profession has been and will continue to be immeasurable.”

She added: “Myself and the whole board look forward to continuing to work with Gavin as he assumes his new role. We’re confident he’ll make a great chief executive, and he’ll have our full support.”

Mr Smart said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as the CIH’s next chief executive. As a housing professional to be asked to lead your professional body is an honour and a privilege. I’m determined to repay the trust that the governing board has placed in me and to build on the fantastic work that Terrie has done.”