Spicer joins Plus Dane

Housing association Plus Dane Group has appointed Barbara Spicer, head of the Skills Funding Agency and former chief executive of Salford City Council, as its chief executive.

Spicer joined the Skills Funding Agency as interim chief executive in November 2013. Prior to that she was chief executive of Salford City Council for eight years.

Spicer will take up her post at Plus Dane Group in September. She replaces Ken Perry, who left the housing association in May after 21 years.

Plus Dane owns and manages more than 18,000 homes across Merseyside and Cheshire, with an asset value in excess of £525m and a turnover of over £76m.

Linda Minnis, chairman of Plus Dane Group said: "The Plus Dane Board is very pleased to have appointed Barbara at an exciting time for the organisation. We feel her vision, values, experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable in delivering our future goals and aspirations."

Spicer said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining the team at Plus Dane and to have been given the opportunity to lead the organisation as it further develops its already excellent work in neighbourhoods across Cheshire and Merseyside. I was excited by the fact that the chair and board are clear about their vision for the future; a vision I wholeheartedly buy into.

"Housing has been the one constant for me throughout what has been a varied career of public service, and this very much feels like coming back to my roots."