Hanover’s new Chairperson takes the reins
Hanover said goodbye to outgoing Chairperson Bunty Fowler in March after she retired from her role, and bids a warm welcome to Mike Martin as her successor.
Bunty was a Committee member for more than eight years and Chairperson for three, during which time she officiated at a number of new development official openings as well as see Hanover receive the Great Place to Work award three times in a row. Before this, she was a member of Hanover’s Committee of Management for six years including being chair of the Finance Committee.
She said: “The last three years have been challenging but extremely rewarding. The impact of the economic downturn was yet to be fully understood at the time I took over and so much has happened in the last three years, meaning Hanover has needed to adapt and re-shape itself to ensure we continue to provide a first-class service to all of our customers, who are at the heart of everything we do. I believe Hanover has done this very well and is in a strong position to continue its good work in the future.”
“After almost nine years I am sad to be leaving Hanover but have been enriched by meeting an extraordinary range of people. I’d like to convey my profound thanks to my fellow Committee members, without whom I could not have done the job, and also to Helen, Hanover’s Chief Executive, its Directors and dedicated staff for all of the assistance and support I’ve received.
“Good governance is essential as it underpins our strategy and our ability to deliver our services, and the Committee of Management continually strives to achieve strong and effective governance. I am very confident that Mike Martin, Hanover’s new Chairperson, will prove to be a first-class successor and I wish him and everyone at Hanover well for the future.”
Mike Martin takes over following a period of nine years on Hanover’s Committee of Management. Before his retirement in 2011, Mike was the Director of the Joint Improvement Team in the Scottish Government, which provided a range of practical improvements to support health, housing and social care partnerships across Scotland. Mike also has more than 30 years’ experience in the housing, health and social care world both north and south of the border.
He said: “I feel very privileged to take on this role in what is a challenging but exciting time not just for Hanover but for the whole housing sector. I’d like to thank Bunty for her excellent leadership over the past three years and I hope I can carry on her good work. I look forward to getting to know Hanover’s service users, residents and staff in the not-too-distant future.”
Chief Executive Helen Murdoch also paid tribute to Bunty, saying “On behalf of all the staff at Hanover I’d like to thank Bunty for her hard work and for being such a conscientious and caring Committee member, chair of our Finance Committee and of course chair of Hanover. We’re very lucky and grateful to have been the recipients of such a skilled person’s time and efforts. I wish Bunty and her husband Willie the very best of health and lots of leisure time together in the future.”
In welcoming Mike as Bunty’s successor, Helen said “Mike’s experience and practical skills will ensure Hanover continues to do its very best in helping older people to live fulfilling and independent lives, as well as helping to ensure that Housing sits at the very heart of the Scottish Government’s health and social care agenda.”
Pictured: Mike Martin
