When current Berneslai Homes CEO Amanda Garrard retires at the end of March, Steve Feast will step into her role. He currently heads up fellow ALMO Northamptonshire Partnership Homes and was previously a director at ALMOs Newark and Sherwood Homes and Nottingham City Homes.

At Stockport Homes Group, the ALMO’s founding CEO Helen McHale steps down later this year after 20 years of service, and SHG’s current Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services Carmel Chambers has been confirmed as her successor.

Amanda became Berneslai’s CEO in 2019 and has led the organisation through many changes and successes, including the role the ALMO played in helping Barnsley Council become the first local authority to receive the highest C1 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Paying tribute to her work, Steve Feast said: “I’m looking forward to joining Berneslai Homes and building on the excellent foundations already put in place by the team. As someone who lives in Barnsley and started my career at Barnsley Council, I have a strong emotional connection to the region. I’m looking forward to working with the team, our partners and tenants to the benefit of the town.”

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, he is committed to improving communities, making a positive contribution to the housing sector, and delivering great services to tenants.

Meanwhile at Stockport, Carmel Chambers brings a wealth of experience to her new role. A Chartered Accountant by training, Carmel joined SHG in 2006 shortly after the ALMO was created by the council to manage its housing, and has played a pivotal role in driving the Group’s successful growth, transformation and engagement initiatives.

She will drive forward SHG’s ambitions to deliver excellent services and outcomes for customers and communities, and will work closely with the Council to deliver its One Stockport Borough Plan.

“It is an absolute privilege to serve in my hometown and with the people of Stockport,” said Carmel.  “I will be focussing on delivering the best outcomes for our customers, being there for those who need us most, and leading our workforce, of whom I am immensely proud. I am excited to work with the Council, our partners, and stakeholders, as we tackle local challenges together, ensuring the best outcomes for our residents and communities.

Welcoming her appointment, Steve Partridge, Chair of SHG’s governing board, added: “As Carmel steps into the role, we would also like to recognise and thank Helen McHalle for her exceptional dedication and leadership over the past 20 years. Her contribution has shaped who we are today, and we wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement.”

“I want to congratulate Steve and Carmel on their appointments,” said NFA Managing Director Eamon McGoldrick. “They will be replacing Amanda and Helen, two excellent leaders and ambassadors for the ALMOsector over many years, and I know they will continue that great work.

“Both are already proven and outstanding leaders in their own right and will help Berneslai Homes and Stockport Homes to deal with the many challenges that currently face all social housing providers.”