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Clarion appoints Barratt board member as new chair
Clarion Housing Group has appointed a current non-executive director of Barratt, the large house builder, as its new chair.
The UK’s largest housing association announced today that Jock Lennox will take over from David Avery as its group chair.
Mr Avery will step down on 31 July, having completed his full nine-year tenure on Clarion’s board, five as chair.
Mr Lennox, who spent 30 years at Ernst & Young, the accountancy firm, in his executive career, will join Clarion on 1 May, but will not take the reins until Mr Avery has stepped down.
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He has been on the board of Barratt, the UK’s biggest house builder, for nearly eight years and is currently chair of the firm’s audit committee.
Mr Lennox joins 125,000-home Clarion as it faces enhanced government scrutiny over its service to tenants, amid a wider focus on the sector.
Two months ago, housing secretary Michael Gove wrote to Clare Miller, Clarion’s chief executive, saying he remained “deeply concerned” following more findings of severe maladministration by the Housing Ombudsman.
Mr Gove had previously written to Clarion in late 2022, arguing the group had “failed its tenants and refused to treat people with respect”.
Mr Lennox, who is also chair of the Johnson Service Group, the supplier of work- and protective wear, said it was a “privilege” to join Clarion.
“I look forward to supporting the executive and non-executive team, helping them continue the legacy of William Sutton, who bequeathed his fortune to provide homes for the working poor nearly 125 years ago,” he said.
Lord Barwell, a former housing minister and Downing Street chief of staff during Theresa May’s stint as prime minister, is also on Clarion’s group board.
Ms Miller added: “We are delighted to welcome Jock to Clarion. He brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the role, as well as extensive relevant experience.”
Mr Lennox was also previously chairman of Enquest, the energy firm, and Hill & Smith Holdings, the infrastructure products and services firm.
In its latest financial update, covering the nine months to the end of December 2023, Clarion reported a 31% drop in operating surplus, to £160.5m, which it mostly blamed on lower stock disposals.
In February, the group retained its G1/V2 status with the regulator. It had previously been among a first wave of landlords downgraded to a V2 for financial viability in late 2022 as macroeconomic conditions began to bite.
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