Sarah Thomas joins Catalyst as chief operating officer

Sarah Thomas joined Catalyst Housing as chief operating officer this week, replacing Rachael Dennis who left after two years in the role to join Taylor Wimpey as a regional managing director.

Thomas (pictured) had previously worked for the Guinness Partnership as executive director of customer services and had been in the same role for Richmond Housing Partnership. She had also worked as head of customer service on Eurostar.

As well as her chief operating officer role Thomas will act as chief executive Ian McDermott’s deputy.

She joins a new Catalyst executive team led by McDermott, made up of Philip Jenkins (group development director), Gary Goggins (executive property director), Judith Foss (executive director of people and culture), Tim Jennings (executive director of finance) and interim executive director of integration Austen Reid.

Speaking about her appointment Thomas said she felt “privileged to join Catalyst at such a formative time in its history, and to work with such a highly regarded team.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know the organisation better, meeting new colleagues and customers and helping to drive excellent service to our residents.”

Catalyst completed its merger with Aldwyck Housing at the beginning of May this year and now owns and manages more than 32,000 homes across London and the south east. It said it was working towards building 1,300 homes a year from 2022.