Boss of Liverpool housing association leaves following regulatory downgrade

The long-time chief executive of a Liverpool housing association has departed her role just months after the organisation’s governance rating was downgraded by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Julie Fadden, who led South Liverpool Homes for nearly 17 years, has departed South Liverpool Homes. The 3,800-home organisation said the decision was ‘by mutual agreement’.

Fadden’s departure follows the Regulator of Social Housing downgrading SLH’s governance rating last June citing a range of problems, including weaknesses in its control of development and concern over ‘probity’ arrangements with third parties.

RSH downgraded SLH’s rating to G2, which means the organisation needs to improve in order to remain in compliance. The downgrade was confirmed in a fresh judgement in December.

Fadden, speaking to Housing Today yesterday, said: “I have completed all the work required to restore the organisation to G1 and I’m now looking for fresh opportunities”

SLH’s official grading remains at G2.

The RSH judgement last June said SLH needs to improve its risk management, internal controls and strengthen oversight of its board.

It said: “Control weaknesses have presented in SLH’s approach to development, rent setting and property allocations. Issues have highlighted that probity arrangements are not working as effectively as they should, to the extent that arrangements risk inappropriately advancing the interests of third parties.”

David Jepson, chair of SLH, said: “The board and myself would like to thank Julie for her outstanding commitment and dedication to the South Liverpool community and wish her every success for the future.” Ian Cresswell, executive director of innovation & technology, will act as chief executive in the interim.

SLH manages around 3,800 homes and is planning to build around 200 homes under a new five-year development programme beginning in 2022/23.