Following the appointment of Ian McDermott as Chief Executive, Catalyst Housing Limited has announced its executive structure for the new integrated organisation, which will follow its merger with Aldwyck Housing Group.

The organisation has also announced the permanent appointments of Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Finance to the new executive team.

Sarah Thomas has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer and will join Catalyst from The Guinness Partnership, where she is currently Executive Director of Customer Services.

In her previous senior roles as Executive Director at Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) and as Head of Customer Service at Eurostar, Sarah led the successful transformation of customer experience.  She is also an advisory panel member of the Housing Ombudsman.

Tim Jennings will take up the post of Executive Director of Finance following Catalyst’s merger with Aldwyck. Tim is currently holding the role of Interim Chief Executive and Executive Director of Finance for Aldwyck Housing Group.

Tim has been with Aldwyck since 2015. His considerable experience in finance spans 30 years, including senior positions at Capita, Criterion and G4S.

Judith Foss, currently Executive Director of People and Culture at Catalyst has been appointed to the role in the expanded organisation.

Catalyst has also appointed Austen Reid as Interim Executive Director of Integration who will lead on merger integration. Austen has experience from across the housing sector, including at Clarion, Circle, Savills and Hyde. Catalyst is currently recruiting for the roles of Executive Director of Development and Executive Director of Property.

Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Catalyst, said:

“We are very pleased to have established a new, robust, executive structure for our expanded organisation, designed to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities for Catalyst and our sector over the next few years.

“Providing more quality homes and improving our customers’ experience will remain at our core. The appointments bring an excellent mix of experience from within and outside housing.

“I am particularly excited about the collective ambition and energy that Judith, Tim, Sarah, Austen and their new executive colleagues will bring.”