Two senior figures including CFO to depart Anchor

Anchor has announced that two of its senior executives will be departing.

Amanda Holgate, chief financial officer, will leave the 54,000-home later living provider on 7 April. Anchor in a statement said Holgate “has informed the board of her intention to step down”.

Holgate has worked at Anchor for more than three years, including a stint as interim chief executive in the second half of last year following the resignation of Sarah Jones.

Anchor said Julia Mixter, executive director for business services has also decided to leave the organisaiton.

A spokesperson declined to comment on the reasons for the two departures or whether the pair are moving to new jobs at different organisations.

Anchor is drafting in experienced interim Susan Hickey as chief financial officer on a temporary basis. Hickey has spent a decade as chief financial officer at Peabody and has held several senior executive and non-executive positions in the housing sector.

Christopher Kemball, chair of Anchor said “Both I and the board would like to pay tribute to Amanda for her very significant contributions over the last three years, both as chief financial officer and for the period in which she served as interim chief executive.

“Under her strong leadership, she has ensured ongoing financial stability and resilience for both our organisation and our residents.

“Anchor has appreciated her insight, expertise and her unwavering professionalism during her time in the organisation. She has brought clarity, steadiness and a deep commitment to our residents and colleagues.”

Rachael Shimmin took over as chief executive in January, joining the provider from Buckinghamshire County Council.

Anchor is currently non-compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing’s governance and viability standard.

In February, the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) opened an investigation into the 54,000-home later living provider after finding several failures relating to safety.

RSH announced Anchor had breached the regulator’s standard last June, a few days after the announcement of Jones’ resignation. Kemball has previously said Anchor has embarked on a “comprehensive improvement plan with urgency.”