The housing association has been found to be compliant with the regulator’s standards, after issues were identified following an internal review

The Welsh government’s social housing regulator has announced that North Wales housing association Grŵp Cynefin is now compliant with governance, which includes tenant services, and financial viability standards.

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Source: Grŵp Cynefin

Mel Evans was appointed as chief executive of Grŵp Cynefin after serving as interim CEO for over a year. 

Last year, the regulator downgraded Grŵp Cynefin’s rating following an internal review of some parts of the business and a self-referral to the regulator.

Following the internal review, which took place in March 2023, Cynefin’s chief executive Shan Lloyd Williams and group director of resources Bryn Ellis were asked to stand down from their roles, and an interim team was put in place.

Lloyd Williams had been chief executive at Cynefin for five years when she left in May 2023.

Mel Evans, who was previously serving as the interim chief executive, was appointed as the permanent chief executive of Cynefin last week. Nia Owen is interim group director of resources. 

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The 4,800-home housing association based in Denbigh said that “over the last 13 months, the group has been working closely and thoroughly with the regulator to develop a plan and make changes to its processes”.

Evans said: “Restoring our regulatory status has been our main objective since last year’s change, and this is the judgement we had been working towards. I’m delighted to be starting my new, permanent role as chief executive on such a positive note. Grŵp Cynefin has been working closely with the regulator and I would like to thank them for working with us in such a positive way”.

She added: “Our staff have given their best over the past year to achieve what was needed, and today’s compliant status is a tribute to their hard work and commitment to the communities where we work.”

Tim Jones, chair of Grŵp Cynefin’s management board, said: “ It’s been a period of significant change for the organisation, but we can now look forward to building further on this success”.