PfP’s Igloo appoints new CEO and chair

Igloo Regeneration has appointed a new chief executive and chair.

Culture and commercial director John Long will step up to the chief executive role on 1 July when Peter Connolly transitions to non-executive chair after leading the firm since 2006.

Long and Connolly joined the Places for People (PfP) subsidiary, which was founded in 2002, within weeks of each other 20 years ago.

Under Connolly’s leadership, Igloo became the UK’s first real estate B Corp and was acquired by PfP in 2023.

The Manchester-based investor-developer currently has a 3,000-home pipeline, with regeneration projects underway including Festival Gardens in Liverpool and Founders Place in Newcastle.

Outside of Igloo, Long co-founded the annual UK Green Film Festival in 2011 – an event dedicated to screening films that highlight environmental issues – where he remains a charity trustee. He also created a volunteer community land management group in his hometown of Bath.

Connolly said: “When we first started talking about impact-led development, it was considered niche. Now many of the principles that have guided igloo from the very beginning are rightly becoming central to how memorable places are created.

“I’m incredibly proud of the role igloo has played in helping drive that shift, demonstrating the value of long-term partnership-led regeneration.”

Greg Reed, group chief executive at PfP, added: “Igloo’s pioneering model of investment and development delivers real impact and is a catalyst for change.”

Igloo’s board from 1 July will comprise three executive directors including Long, finance director Louise Donaldson and operations director Samantha Veal, alongside Connolly and John Tatham, non-executive director and shareholder representative.

Igloo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thriving Investments, part of the Places for People group.