One of the Midlands largest housing associations has announced a new senior appointment.

Platform Housing Group has confirmed the appointment of Ian Joynson as Chief Investment Officer.

The role will see Ian responsible for the social landlord’s existing homes, ensuring they provide customers with a safe, warm and comfortable place to live.  A key focus within this will be to ensure investment is channelled into homes to enable this to be achieved.

Ian has more than 20 years’ experience within the social sector; his previous role was as Executive Director of Asset Management at social housing provider The Guinness Partnership, where he led teams of more than 700 professionals who provided services to more than 65,000 households throughout the country.

Ian also has Non-Executive Director experience within the sector, recently becoming a Board member at ForHousing, one of the North West’s largest housing associations, and previously at another leading housing association, The Hyde Group.

Ian said: “I am thrilled to be joining Platform.  I was drawn in by the headline in its business plan, ‘to build a truly modern housing association.’  Having worked with many housing associations over the years, I truly believe that there are opportunities for us to do so much more if we modernise and harness the data and technology that is available to us.  I look forward to contributing to the Group’s vision of delivering great services and empowering communities.”

As the newest member of the Executive team, Ian will join Elizabeth Froude, Chief Executive Officer, Marion Duffy, Chief Operations Officer, Rosemary Farrar, Chief Financial Officer, Gerraint Oakley, Executive Director for Growth and Development, Jon Cocker, Chief Information Officer and Clare Durnin, Executive Director for Corporate Resources

Elizabeth Froude, Chief Executive Officer at Platform Housing Group said: “We are delighted to welcome Ian to Platform.  He brings with him a wealth of experience and is both passionate and solutions driven; he will ensure that we use our knowledge and data to have clear plans for our homes and, ultimately, to provide our customers with homes they are proud of.”

Ian, who studied Urban Economic Development at The University of Birmingham, lives in Kent with his wife and son.  He is also a qualified chartered accountant.

He recently set a Guinness World Record with 2 friends, driving through 9 countries on a single charge of an electric car; the previous record was 7.  The team raised money for Guys Hospital’s cancer charity, a cause close to their hearts.