News from Bolton at Home
Here you'll find our most recent news articles, from important tenant updates and new housing developments, to new community initiatives and activities.
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Hear from Noel Sharpe, our new group chief executive officer, and a fond farewell to Jon Lord
We’re delighted to welcome Noel Sharpe into the role of our group chief executive officer. Noel had been our deputy group chief executive since 2018, and takes over from Jon Lord who retired at the end of 2022.
Here’s a short clip of Noel with a message to start the year.
A bit more about Noel and her appointment as CEO
Noel first joined us in 2015 and has held senior leadership positions for over 15 years with housing providers also including Halton Housing and Great Places Housing Group
In August 2022, our board appointed Noel to succeed Jon as our next CEO.
Ian Munro, chair of our group board, said: During the recruitment process we considered applications from people across the housing sector and beyond. It was clear that Noel was the outstanding candidate.
“The board has full confidence she’s the right person to steer us through the current challenges in the housing sector, and to continue taking the organisation forward in a way that leads to better outcomes for our communities.”
Jon added: “I can’t think of anyone better than Noel to take the organisation forward into future challenges and meet the changing needs of our tenants and residents.”
As well as being part of our executive management team, Noel is also a trustee of Bolton Lads and Girls Club and chairs the Economic Prosperity Group, which is part of the 2030 Bolton Vision steering group. Bolton Vision is a local partnership that brings together senior leaders from the voluntary, community and faith sector, the private sector, the university, college and schools, health, emergency services and the council.
A fond farewell to Jon
Jon had worked in housing since 1987 and led our organisation for 13 years.
He was awarded an OBE in 2007 for services to social housing and, for a decade, was also the chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP) partnership. GMHP is a group of 24 housing providers working at the heart of long-term housing, health and place making strategy in the region, and which together house over half a million of the city region’s residents.
Jon led our transition to become a registered housing provider and a charitable community benefit society, delivering a wide range of housing and community-based services. And during Jon’s time as our CEO, we’ve also grown with Arcon Housing Association joining the group and commercial subsidiary companies set up to provide a range of services.
Ian Munro said: “Jon’s done an amazing job shaping Bolton at Home into a force for good. Because of his vision, we’re not just another housing association. Everything we do is about improving the wellbeing of our tenants and residents. It’s something we’re all signed up to, mainly because we’re inspired by Jon’s passion and drive to improve people’s lives and make areas better places to live.”
Noel added: “Like everyone else in the organisation I owe Jon a huge debt of gratitude. He’s been an inspirational leader and we’re sad to see him go. Bolton at Home wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for Jon’s dedication to doing the right thing by its tenants. I, along with the rest of the organisation would like to thank him and wish him every happiness in his well-earned retirement.”
