New CEO unveils plans to “future proof” Pickering and Ferens Homes

New CEO unveils plans to “future proof” Pickering and Ferens Homes

It is a housing association steeped in more than 100 years worth of history

Now, newly-appointed chief executive Claire Warren is expected to breathe new life into Pickering and Ferens Homes, a renowned Hull-based charity with a housing stock of 1,250 properties.

The former chief executive of West North West Homes Leeds and Leeds ALMO’s shared services Business Centre has a housing career spanning 23 years and her experience includes running large council housing companies with annual turnovers of £48m at their peak, a challenge she has relished for ten years.

Hailing from Dunnington, in York, Claire sees the move to Pickering and Ferens Homes, which provides housing for the over-60s, as an opportunity to build on the organisation’s success to date and ensure it is “future proof” for any challenges ahead.

Claire’s vision is for the charity’s services to do far more than simply provide housing for the over-60s, she wants the services they provide to enhance health and well-being for residents in their older age. She plans to work closely with local government to support its plans for older people into the future too.

With a proven track record, including some of the highest national scores for tenant involvement and excellence in equality work during her time in Leeds, her new colleagues at Pickering and Ferens Homes will be left in little doubt about Claire’s aspirations for the organisation.

“I am incredibly excited about what the future holds,” said the mother-of-two, who is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. “I am very keen as part of my new role to raise the profile of older people in Hull and what their needs are.;

“It’s an organisation with so much potential and what really attracted me to Pickering and Ferens Homes is the fact that it’s a very successful, small organisation which is very well thought of.

““I want to build on the past and take the organisation forward into the future, ensuring it is fit for new challenges and indeed new opportunities. I will be looking at ways we can enhance existing services and develop new ones in the most cost effective way.

“Listening, learning and adapting services where necessary will be key.

Claire believes there is a huge amount of goodwill amongst residents at Pickering and Ferens Homes. “The residents I have spoken to so far have been telling me how privileged they feel to live in one of our properties,” added Claire. “This is something I really want to build on further, whilst also recognising the changing profile of residents we need to be looking at who our residents of tomorrow are and how we continue to deliver services and communicate with them effectively.”

Claire’s appointment follows an exciting 12 months at Pickering and Ferens Homes, which saw two new eco-developments completed including 10 bungalows at Rokeby Mews and 38 houses and bungalows at Junella Fields, both in west Hull. Meanwhile, 20 bungalows at The Jacobs Homes development, in Askew Avenue, west Hull, are also nearing completion.”