Norman becomes GMHP chair
Charlie Norman, chief executive of Manchester-based provider Mosscare St Vincent’s, has taken over as chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers partnership.
Norman succeeds Jon Lord, chief executive of Bolton at Home, who has held the position since GMHP was formed more than ten years ago.
She said: ‘On behalf of all our 24 members I want to thank Jon for his leadership and huge contribution over the last decade. Under Jon’s stewardship, housing providers in Greater Manchester have gone from a disparate group working in relative isolation to a strong and unified partnership demonstrating exemplary collaboration and partnership working to deliver much more for our communities.
“In that time we’ve also become a trusted strategic partner for GMCA, GMHSCP, GM Mayor Andy Burnham and others, and we’re now at the heart of long-term housing, health and placemaking strategy in the region. It’s something all our members can be proud of – and Jon must take a lot of credit for that.”
Norman has worked in the housing sector for more than 30 years, both across the North West and in Vancouver, Canada, with a background in community and co-operative development, neighbourhood management and regeneration.
She has worked for MSV for almost 20 years and also services as vice-chair of the Northern Housing Consortium and is a trustee of the Mustard Tree charity.
She continued: “It’s a critical moment for the sector, and I’m really pleased to be taking on the chair of GMHP at such an important time for our members.
“The housing crisis is ever-present, and myriad challenges; from building safety, the decarbonisation agenda, and levelling up, to the cost-of-living crisis and the unacceptable inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic, are putting pressures on our organisations and communities like never before.
“In that context, it’s never been more important to work collaboratively as housing providers, sharing our knowledge, expertise and best practice to find effective solutions to these challenges. I believe that only by working together in this way will we deliver the lasting change we need.”
Schemes taken on by MSV recently include a 42-apartment supported living development in Lower Broughton and a youth-focused development with Manchester City Council.
