Orbit, one of the UK’s foremost not-for-profit housing groups, has announced the appointment of Stephen Jack as Group Board Chair.
Stephen Jack will start in the role in January 2025, replacing David Weaver who leaves the role at the end of 2024 after having served the maximum terms of office as set out under the organisation’s governance terms.
The new appointment coincides with the organisation making changes to its governance structure to support the delivery of its 2030 Strategy. These changes will see the appointment of two Orbit customers to the Group Board as non-executive directors as it looks to deliver on its ambition to provide amongst the best customer experience of any housing association in the country, and the combining of the Orbit Housing Association Board with the Orbit Group Board under one coterminous board, which together will oversee all aspects of operational and strategic direction. A new committee structure, including the creation of the new Customer and Service Delivery Committee, will support Group Board decision making.
Commenting on these changes, Orbit Group Chief Executive, Phil Andrew said: “These are important changes that will help embed our 2030 Strategy in everything we do, and I’d like to thank David for his support and counsel throughout this process and throughout my time at Orbit.
“David will be sorely missed; however he couldn’t be handing the baton over to anyone better. Stephen’s passion for purpose and equity very much chimes with that of my own, and I’m looking forward to working closely with him in his role of Chair.”
Commenting on his appointment, Stephan Jack added: “I am delighted to be joining Orbit at such a pivotal and exciting time. Orbit has a strong reputation, a clear ambition, and a real determination to change and improve. There is a clear strategy and, through its Everyday Excellence delivery plan, strong building blocks already in place for the future, and I am very much looking forward to working with Phil and the wider Orbit team to help Orbit realise its ambitions and maximise the opportunities to come.”
David Weaver, who joined the Orbit Group Board in 2016 and has held the position of Chair since 2022, added: “It has and continues to be an interesting time for housing. The sector has a real opportunity to do better, and that is very much at the heart of Orbit’s 2030 Strategy. Ensuring the customer voice is at the core of Orbit’s strategic decision making is absolutely the right thing to do, and I’m proud that these changes are being made.
“I am sorry not to be able to continue in the role, but I am sure that under Phil’s continued leadership, and with the support of the Executive team and Stephen, Orbit will embrace the opportunity ahead, and I look forward to seeing them go from strength-to-strength.”
Stephen Jack was a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has had a 30-year executive career as a Finance Director and CFO in financial services. He has considerable board and governance experience across the private, public, and voluntary sectors, with previous board roles including Chair of the Independent Living Fund, Vice Chair of Anchor Hanover, and Trustee of Royal Mencap Society. He is currently a board member of Golden Lane Housing and has been Chair of Octavia since April 2023. He will step down from both of these roles later this month. In 2014 Stephen received an OBE for services to disabled people.