Karen will retire this summer, after a 17-year career as Chief Executive at Southway Housing Trust
Karen Mitchell will be retiring as Chief Executive of Southway during the summer of 2024. She has held the role since Southway was formed in 2007, following a stock transfer decision by South Manchester tenants.
As Chief Executive, Karen has overseen the development of 1,600 new homes in Manchester, including two ‘With Care’ schemes in Burnage and Gorton. She has also led Southway towards our ambitious goal of becoming a zero-carbon housing association by 2038, securing substantial funding for the decarbonisation of a significant portion of our housing stock. Throughout her time here, Southway has always held the highest possible rating for financial viability and governance requirements, G1 V1.
Karen said: “It’s been a privilege to contribute to the improvement of homes, services, and opportunities in our neighbourhoods over the last 17 years.
I’ve really taken pride in Southway’s innovation, in areas like our work to make Manchester Age Friendly, the implementation of our Green and Zero Carbon Strategies, and our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. And that, against a backdrop of change across the housing sector, we’ve remained a community-focused landlord that is inspired by our communities.
Though I’m more than a little sad to be leaving, I have absolute confidence that Southway's Board, committees, colleagues, and volunteers will continue to make sure that the organisation improves and grows, particularly when it introduces its next five-year Corporate Strategy in 2025. I’ve always been supported by an incredibly dedicated and experienced team, who will continue to provide our communities with much-needed homes and services”.
Hazel Makinson, Chair of the Parent Board at Southway, praised Karen's contributions, saying, "Karen's impact on shaping Southway's story has been exceptional, and the Board is immensely grateful for her dedication to local communities.
Karen's retirement is the end of an era, and she will be sincerely missed by everyone who has worked alongside her. Southway and the Board wish her the very best in her future endeavours.
This is a time of significant change for the Trust. We have a great team in place and are looking forward to welcoming a new Chief Executive who will support the Board and work with us on the next exciting stage of the Southway journey.”.
We have initiated the recruitment process for our new Chief Executive, with applications being accepted via our recruitment partner, Greenacre Executive, from Friday 26th January.
For further information, please contact Barry Forsythe on 07715 409001 or email southway@greenacre-executive.com.
