CEO of Irish housing association officially becomes chair of CIH

John Hannigan is now officially chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing’s governing board.

Hannigan, the chief executive of Dublin-based Circle Voluntary Housing Association and former chair of CIH Ireland’s advisory board, was appointed at the institute’s annual general meeting today.

He succeeds Geraldine Howley who has held the position for six years after completing two terms.

In other changes to the CIH board, former Saffron Housing Trust director Hannah Harvey, who took up a role at Housing Choices Australia earlier this year, stands down. While Aileen Evans, the outgoing chief executive of Grand Union Housing Group, has been appointed to the board for a second term. Three new governing board trustees were also approved, they were consultant Joseph Carr, experienced executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher and Elim Housing boss Paul Smith.

The institute also today reported a surplus of £2.1m for 2023/24. This is the fifth consecutive annual surplus reported by the CIH. 

Gavin Smart, chief executive of CIH, said: “I extend our heartfelt thanks to Geraldine for her tremendous dedication to CIH, steering the organisation on to a path of financial viability, prosperity and growth over the last six years as chair.

“We are delighted to see John as the new chair designate of our governing board. He brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the role as well as extensive relevant experience.”

>>See also: ‘Start now and try to move as fast as you can’ - CIH boss Gavin Smart gives his advice for the next government on housing

Elly Hoult, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive of Peabody, is now the president of the CIH, succeeding Jill Murray.

Hoult’s new presidential campaign, which is called Choose Housing, will be launched later this month.

Julie Haydon was officially appointed as CIH’s vice president following her election victory. Haydon was approved as a co-optee to the governing board along with James Ballantyne from CIH Futures and Nigel Finney from the Professional Standards Committee.

Kath Cottier, CEO of Fold Housing, was appointed chair of CIH Ireland’s Advisory Board at the organisation’s sixtieth annual meeting on Monday 14 October.