New chief financial officer for Notting Hill Genesis

Mark Smith will join Notting Hill Genesis as our new chief financial officer in April 2024. Mark currently holds the same role at NHS Property Services, which provides landlord and property services for 2,700 NHS buildings across England, with an annual income of £750 million and 6,000 direct employees.

Mark has significant experience across financial and operational management, cost transformation, process improvement and business change. Prior to his current role, which he has held since April 2019, Mark spent more than 10 years at BT, working in a variety of senior financial roles across different parts of the business.

Mark takes over from Susan Hickey, who has been our chief financial officer on an interim basis since May 2023. The two will work closely together to ensure a seamless handover.

Chief executive Patrick Franco said: "In a field of strong candidates, Mark stood out as the best. There's no doubt that we are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, so Mark's leadership experience across many financial disciplines will be invaluable.

"His property experience is extensive but coming from outside the sector and with 10 years at a FTSE 100 company he will add fresh perspectives and thinking. Mark's appointment caps a year of change at Notting Hill Genesis and adds further momentum to our improvement plans.

"I would like to thank Susan for her outstanding interim support. She has made a significant impact in a short period of time and has laid strong foundations for Mark to build on."

Mark added: "I'm very happy to be joining Notting Hill Genesis with its good reputation for financial competence and innovation.

"I'm excited by the vision set out in the ambitious Better Together strategy, which relies on stable financial foundations if it is to genuinely improve our existing homes and services to residents, at the same time as building much-needed new homes for Londoners.

"The housing crisis is most acute in London so an opportunity to join Notting Hill Genesis, a not-for-profit housing provider offering homes that Londoners can afford whatever their personal circumstances, was extremely attractive. I am looking forward to playing my part in an organisation that can make a genuine difference."