“I already know I’m going to be our shortest serving chief executive.”

Out of context it sounds almost defeatist, but new EMH Group boss Charley Gibbons is not saying this because he believes his term will be comparatively short. The 49-year-old is merely pointing out the fact that EMH bosses to date have all stuck around for multiple decades.

Since EMH Group forerunner East Midlands Housing Association was founded 80 years ago, the landlord has – incredibly – only had three previous chief executives. Founder Peter Elderfield led the group for four decades, while his successor (and wife) Pat Elderfield and then the indomitable Chan Kataria clocked up around 20 years apiece.

The organisation has become a byword for stability at the top. But the group, which nowadays manages 22,000 homes and employs 1,100 staff, is going through a transitional period. Kataria retired in October after overseeing substantial growth, while David Russell has departed after serving his allotted nine years as chair and was last month succeeded by Danielle Oum.