Dean takes the helm at Great Places

Alison Dean will start her position as chief executive of the housing association on 1 July, taking over the role from Matt Harrison, who is standing down after more than a decade in post.

Dean is currently the deputy chief executive of the Manchester-based Great Places Housing Group. She has been with the company since 1997, having joined as a graduate. Throughout her time with the organisation, she has focussed on customer engagement, regeneration, housing management, and service improvement. She was made deputy chief executive in 2022.

“I am delighted to have been chosen to lead this fantastic organisation at an exciting time for our business as we prepare to launch our new ambitious corporate plan,” Dean said.

“Our people and partners are passionate about delivering excellent services to our customers and we will remain committed to helping tackle the housing crisis and improving the communities we serve.”

Mervyn Jones, chair of Great Places, shared his confidence in Dean taking on the chief executive mantle.

“We are delighted that Alison has accepted the position after a robust recruitment process and significant competition from other exceptional, experienced candidates,” he said.

“This appointment signals the strength of our organisation and will continue to build on the success of our development programme as well as investing more than ever before into existing customers’ homes.”

Jones continued: “I would like to thank Matt Harrison for everything he has done for our customers, colleagues and communities.

“I look forward to working closely with Alison as we open a new chapter and continue to move forward to help more people live in safe and secure homes.”

Great Places received a £284m, sustainability-linked funding boost earlier this year from Santander, NatWest, and ABN AMRO. The money is to be spent on delivering 9,000 affordable homes before the end of the decade and boosting the energy efficiency of the association’s current 25,000-strong housing stock.

Dean will no doubt be busy when she steps into the chief executive role. Great Places has a series of sizeable North West projects in the works at the moment, including an LGBT+ extra care housing block in Manchester, 132 homes in Radcliffe, and 148 flats in Stockport