Cahill joins First Ark

First Ark Group, parent company of Knowsley Housing trust, has appointed Tony Cahill as executive director of commercial services, its new maintenance arm.

Cahill previously spent four years at fit-out firm Morris & Spottiswood and before that worked in facilities management, fire and security services.

First Ark was formed in 2010 and intends to increase commercial activity to raise profits for redistributing into its social enterprise and affordable housing divisions.

Cahill said: "It is the first time I have worked in social housing and it was the focus on social responsibility that drew me to the role.

"As well as delivering stakeholder value, we are investing profits back into the community. I wanted to be part of an organisation that will deliver real social benefit like that.

"Service excellence is at the heart of a strong and growing business and this is the value I will bring to the role as we develop our commercial activities. It is an exciting new step for me and for First Ark and I am proud to be a part of it."

The new commercial division is due to be launched later this year to handle repairs and maintenance for Knowsley Housing Trust as well as offering services to external customers such as private commercial and residential landlords and local authorities.

Bob Taylor, chief executive of First Ark, said: "As First Ark we are now much more than a housing group and we must make sure we have the skills and expertise to reflect our more commercial focus.

"A commercial element is new ground for the housing sector, open to us as a result of regulation and funding changes. Tony is an important part of our team opening up new opportunities in this direction that will feed back into improving lives in our communities."