RSL names new chairman

Lancashire-based Progress Housing Group has chosen Janet Hale, former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing and former chairman of Knowsley Housing Trust, as its new non-executive chairman.

Hale succeeds Philip Jones who was with the organisation for 12 years. Hale has 20 years' non-executive director experience in the housing industry and currently chairs Women in Social Housing and acts as secretary of the CIH NW Regional Committee. She runs her own consultancy, Pilkington-Hale Partnership, based in Skelmersdale.

Hale said: "We are all aware that this is a challenging time to be involved in social housing but it also offers the opportunity to deliver much more than just high quality housing and services to our tenants and customers. Under Philip's chairmanship the Group has come to an exciting point in its journey and I'm looking forward to working closely with Jacqui and the Board to achieve – and surpass – our ambitions for the group."

Progress Housing Group, based in Leyland, owns and manages 6,268 homes for social rent and a further 3,915 homes for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. The group also manages a women's refuge, two purpose-built schemes for people facing homelessness, 573 units of key worker accommodation, retirement living and a property services division

Jacqui De-Rose, chief executive of Progress Housing Group, said: "Janet brings with her a wealth of experience from the housing sector which I'm sure will help Progress Housing Group continue to go from strength to strength."