A Macclesfield housing association with around 5,000 homes has appointed a permanent chief executive following the resignation of his predecessor.

Mark Howden, who joined Peaks & Plains Housing Trust as Director of Place from Balfour Beatty in May 2019, took on the role of interim chief executive last November following the self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing and resignation of then chief executive, Tim Pinder.

Inside Housing reports that the Trust was deemed to have failed the Regulator's governance standards in March due to multiple safety issues and a loan covenant breach.

Peaks and Plains says that since taking over, Mr Howden has worked closely with the Regulator to develop and implement the Trust's recovery action plan to rebuild standards and have successfully completed the first phase of the programme on schedule.

With the support of the Trust's new leadership team, Mr Howden has also led the Trust through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Howden said: "When I joined the Trust in 2019, I couldn't have predicted the journey that lay ahead.

"Over the last 12 months, we have made transformational changes and overcome many adversities, and I believe we are a stronger organisation as a result. One which I am honoured to have been appointed to lead forward as chief executive.

He added: "Looking ahead, my focus is to continue to build a robust, well-managed Trust that will uphold its social purpose above all else - addressing the local housing need and ensuring resident welfare is paramount."

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Jane McCall, Chair of Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, said: "Mark's experience and passion for improving communities made him a very strong candidate. Myself and the board have also been really impressed with his purposeful focus on both residents and our workforce.

"A clear sign that he's the right person to lead the organisation forward to address immediate priorities and steer the Trust's long-term strategy."