Peabody appoints interim chair

Housing association Peabody has announced the appointment of an interim chair following the death last month of the incumbent, Bob Kerslake.

David Hardy, a qualified chartered accountant, has been appointed to the role with immediate effect while the association seeks a permanent replacement for Kerslake, a former boss of the Homes and Communities Agency and head of the civil service.

Hardy joined the board of Peabody in June 2016 and is the current chair of the trust’s finance and treasury committee.

A Peabody spokesperson said: “David is committed to steering the board to deliver Peabody’s social purpose and the priorities agreed by the board under Lord Kerslake’s leadership.”

“Following the sad death of Lord Kerslake last month, the recruitment process to appoint a long-term successor is progressing,” she added.

Kerslake was a commissioner on the Building the Future Commission, an ambitious project to improve the built environment launched by Housing Today’s sister publication Building in January this year. He was also a regular columnist for Housing Today.

He became a peer in 2015 and later became chair of Peabody, a role he held until his death.

Ravi Rajagopal resumes his role as Peabody vice-chair, also with immediate effect.