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Ruth Cooke appointed interim chief executive of 11,000-home association
Ruth Cooke has been appointed interim chief executive of an 11,000-home housing association, following her short-lived stint at the helm of the UK’s largest social landlord.
Ms Cooke has been announced as the interim boss of Wiltshire-based GreenSquare Group following the departure of its previous boss Howard Toplis.
It follows her appointment as chief executive of 125,000-home Clarion Housing Group in April last year.
However, that role ended in September when she took an extended period of leave and resigned in October, with the organisation citing “personal reasons” for her departure.
Ms Cooke had previously been employed as chief executive of 33,000-home Midland Heart since 2013, where she had also previously served as finance director.
She has also held senior finance positions at Anchor, Knightstone and PwC.
Robin Bailey, chair of GreenSquare, said: “We are delighted that Ruth has joined us, albeit in an interim capacity. She has significant skills and is very enthusiastic about seizing the opportunities at GreenSquare Group.
“The board has ambitious plans to benefit our customers and Ruth can help us make significant progress while we recruit a permanent replacement for Howard.”
The organisation announced that Mr Toplis, who was chief executive for six years, was leaving in a statement posted to its website last Tuesday, but did not give a reason for his departure.
Mr Bailey added: “On behalf of the board, I’d like to recognise his achievements, dedication to the organisation and to the housing sector.
“Thanks to his efforts, thousands of families can enjoy safe, decent and affordable homes across our operating area. We wish him well as he enters the next stage of his career.”
