• Local university Dean joins board as chair

Local university Dean joins board as chair

"I am honoured by this new appointment and look forward to leading the emh group board in the delivery of our shared mission."

Professor Russell

local university dean joins board as chair

Coalville-based emh group, a leading housing and care provider with 19,000 homes across the East Midlands has appointed a new Chair to its board.

Professor David Russell, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Business Law & Social Sciences at the University of Derby, has been a member of the emh group board for one year. He will now lead the board of nine members, who each bring a range of valuable skills and experience, to shape the future direction of the organisation.

Professor Russell takes over as Chair at a time of significant investment in the development of new affordable homes, which has seen an increase from 350 homes a year to 450 over the past 12 months in a bid to tackle the regions housing need. In addition, the group is continuing to make substantial investment to ensure the long-term maintenance and improvement of existing homes.

"I am honoured by this new appointment and look forward to leading the emh group board in the delivery of our shared mission which is to provide the best quality housing and care to improve opportunities for people services to our customers," said Professor Russell.

Professor Russell’s appointment will mark the farewell of the board’s former Chair, Professor Jeff Knight, who retires after a nine year tenure, in which he has overseen some of the largest changes in emh group’s 70 year history.

Group Chief Executive, Chan Kataria, said: "Jeff has made a real difference to our organisation and I would like to thank him for his valuable contribution to the group. We will be sad to see him leave but he has handed the reins to a man in whom I have every confidence will take emh group to new heights. I look forward to working with Professor Russell, who has the skills we need to implement our vision for the future."