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NIFHA unveils new permanent chief executive
The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) has appointed a new permanent chief executive after the previous boss left earlier this year.
Seamus Leheny, who previously worked for trade body Logistics UK, has taken up the top job at NIFHA today.
He spent nearly 15 years at Logistics UK as its policy manager for Northern Ireland, which included overseeing communications and public affairs.
Mr Leheny is the permanent replacement at NIFHA for Ben Collins, who stepped down in May after five years as chief executive.
Mr Collins is now a senior consultant at PR and public affairs firm Hume Brophy, according to his LinkedIn page.
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Patrick Thompson, deputy chief executive of NIFHA, has been filling in as interim boss at the trade body since June.
Mr Leheny said he is “delighted” to take up a “new challenge”.
He added: “Housing is a critical matter for communities right across the region, and I look forward to representing those interests and building on the great work of the NIFHA team and its members.”
He will be join a relatively new chair at NIFHA, Hazel Bell, who was appointed in July.
Ms Bell said Mr Leheny is joining at a “critical time” for the housing association sector in Northern Ireland.
She added: “While our members are delivering new homes and supporting tenants, there are still many challenges… including a growing housing waiting list and some significant obstacles to development.”
NIFHA has 20 housing association members that manage around 57,000 homes across the region.
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