Former South Lakes and Vela chief executive to join 26,000-home association in September
Great Places Housing Group has appointed Cath Purdy as its new chair.
The 26,000-home Manchester-based association announced Purdy will join the organisation in September succeeding Mervyn Jones whose tenure is coming to an end.
Purdy has held leadership roles in social housing for the past 20 years. Most recently she was chief executive of South Lakes Housing, before retiring in May 2025. She was deputy chief executive of Thirteen Group and before that chief executive of Thirteen’s predecessor organisations Vela Group and Housing Hartlepool.
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Jones said: “I’m delighted that Cath has been appointed as my successor. She’s an excellent fit for the role and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organisation.”
Great Places also announced the appointment of four other board members; Archana Makol, Caroline Osler, Mark Patchitt and Dean Clegg.
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