Salix Homes appoints new chair as CEO announces retirement

Note: An earlier version of this article said Martin Warhurst is set to leave his current role as chief financial officer at Habinteg - this was incorrect. Warhurst has no plans to leave Habinteg. We apologise for any confusion.

Salix Homes in Salford has recruited Martin Warhurst as board chair, while Sue Sutton will step down from her role as chief executive after 25 years in the industry. 

Warhurst, Habinteg Housing Association’s chief financial officer, will replace Jim Battle, who has reached the end of his term and officially stepped down at the board annual general meeting yesterday. 

Warhurst has been a board member at the 8,000-home organisation since 2023 when he was made chair of the audit and risk committee. 

He is a chartered accountant with more than two decades experience in the social housing sector. 

Salix Homes was recently awarded a top consumer grading from the Regulator of Social Housing. 

Warhurst said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Board at such a pivotal moment for Salix Homes, particularly as we prepare for the upcoming change in CEO, and I look forward to building on the outstanding achievements made under my predecessor Jim Battle’s leadership.” 

Recruitment for the company’s upcoming chief executive position will begin in October. 

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Sutton joined the company in 2008, initially on a three-month contract. She worked in various roles before being selected as chief executive in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

She said: “From navigating the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to the achievements we’ve celebrated together - like receiving a top C1 Consumer grading from the Regulator of Social Housing - it’s been a rollercoaster, but I couldn’t be prouder of all that we’ve accomplished.” 

The association’s new board member and current director of finance and IT at Leeds Federated Housing Association, Jason Ridley, will take over from Warhurst as chair of the audit and risk committee.