Anstee appointed chair of Trafford Housing
Former Trafford Council leader Sean Anstee has been appointed as group chair of the not-for-profit housing association, part of residential developer L&Q Group, and will take over from Edna Robinson in October.
Anstee, who has been a non-executive director of Trafford Housing Trust since April 2014, will replace Robinson, who is stepping down at the end of September having completed her term of office.
He will also join the group board of L&Q Group, having already been a member of the firm’s Audit and Risk Committee.
L&Q acquired Trafford Housing Trust last October, and the housing association aims to deliver 20,000 new homes across the North West over the next decade.
Alongside his latest role as executive director of PR consultancy Cratus Communications, Anstee sits on the board of the National Housing Federation and is a governor and chair of the finance and resources committee at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Leader of Trafford Council from 2014 and 2018, Anstee was defeated by Andy Burnham in the 2017 contest to become Greater Manchester mayor.
Anstee said: “Improving our homes and building new ones is vital as we play our part in tackling the housing crisis, not just here in Trafford, but across the North West.
“My key priorities are listening to and looking after our customers, engaging more with our partners, and setting even higher standards for our existing homes and the services we provide.
Larry Gold, chief executive of Trafford Housing Trust, said: “Sean’s understanding of and insight into the housing sector has proved invaluable. He has great passion for Manchester and the North West, and I have no doubt he will continue to be a driving force behind the trust.
“I would also like to give my thanks to Edna Robinson, who has chaired the board since 2013 and has proved to be one of the most influential and passionate people in the sector.”
Trafford Housing Trust owns and manages 9,000 homes in the North West. In May, the trust lodged plans for 330 homes and a Lidl supermarket across 60 acres in Penwortham, Preston.
