27 March 2009

Professor Crook appointed Chair of housing charity

Professor Tony Crook has been appointed Chair of housing charity Shelter’s Board of Trustees, with effect from May 1st.

Professor Crook is former Pro-Vice Chancellor of The University of Sheffield where he was responsible for academic planning, and has been a Shelter Trustee for the last 5 years.

He has a long and distinguished career within housing, including significant contributions to housing research, and is currently the Professor of Town & Regional Planning at the University of Sheffield. He is also an elected academician of the Academy of Social Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Professor Crook is also currently Chair of Sheffield Homes Ltd and of the RTPI accreditation board. He is former chair of the RTPI housing panel, a member of the RTPI research committee, former chair of Connexions South Yorkshire, former Chair of South Yorkshire Housing Association and a former member of the National Housing Federation's National Council.

Professor Crook said: “It is a great honour for me to have been asked by the Trustees to serve Shelter at this critical time for our country's housing. I look forward to working with all colleagues in Shelter and partner organisations to help keep the housing needs of our country at the forefront of debates. We will ensure that Shelter continues to be an effective advocate for imaginative policies to eliminate homelessness and bad housing.”

Former chair of the Electoral Commission Sam Younger will also join the housing charity, on 2 April, as interim Chief Executive.

Mr Younger’s previous high profile roles include Director General of the British Red Cross and Managing Director of the BBC World Service.

He will carry out an interim role, and will replace former CEO Adam Sampson who joins the Office for Legal Complaints after more than six years at Shelter.

Notes for editors:

Shelter Acting Chair Hugh Norton said: “We are delighted to have made both these appointments. Tony knows Shelter well and brings huge depth of expertise to issues on housing, and Sam has a strong track record leading a diverse range of organisations.

"These appointments will ensure a smooth management transition and ensure Shelter’s vital work will be continued at this critical time for housing. We are extremely fortunate to have such strong individuals to lead the organisation in the future.”

The Board is also launching a recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive, and aims to have someone in post by the end of the year.