The Gentoo Group Board has appointed Emily Cox MBE as the successor to our retiring Chair, Keith Loraine OBE.
Keith, who joined Gentoo in 2017, is stepping down in September, as Chair of Gentoo Group and a member of the Group Board as he nears the end of his maximum six years of service.
Keith has overseen Gentoo and our Group Board through a period of significant challenge and change. He has led the organisation with huge integrity and commitment throughout his tenure. This includes returning the organisation to the top G1 grade of governance given by the Regulator of Social Housing following the Group’s downgrade to G3 in 2017.
He steps away from Gentoo following more than 40 years of service working in the housing sector, having retired as Chief Executive of Isos Housing Group (now Karbon Homes) in 2016.
Emily has been a Gentoo Group Board Member for three years and is the Chair of our People Committee. She will ensure continuity and brings a clear vision and understanding of the Group’s social purpose and particularly the focus on improving Gentoo’s services for tenants in Sunderland.
Emily is the Ambassador for the North of England and Group Head of Colleague Relations and Policy for Lloyds Banking Group. As Ambassador, her role is to bring the Group’s purpose of helping Britain prosper to life, working with local and national leaders to support businesses and communities within the region.
Before this Emily was the Director of Public Affairs at Virgin Money.
Emily is also currently the Deputy Chair of the CBI North East Regional Council and a Board Member of Sage Gateshead, the region’s international music venue.
Keith will handover to Emily on 28 September 2022 at the Group’s Annual General Meeting.
Gentoo’s outgoing Chair, Keith Loraine OBE, said:
“As someone who grew up in Sunderland, having the opportunity to Chair the city’s main provider of social and affordable housing has been a great honour.
“We have been through some extremely challenging times and have worked in a very unpredictable and unstable political and economic environment. I am very proud of what we have achieved together during this period.”
“I am pleased to be leaving Gentoo with the organisation holding the highest possible G1 rating for Governance from the Regulator, and I would like to thank my fellow Board Members and all Gentoo colleagues for their hard work and support in helping to return the organisation to where it deserves to be.
“Finally, I would like to congratulate Emily on being appointed as my successor and wish her the very best of luck in her new role.”
Gentoo’s newly appointed Chair, Emily Cox MBE, added:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Chair of Gentoo Group.
“In the three years I have been a Gentoo Group Board Member, Keith has done an excellent job in leading the Board and steering the organisation through a challenging time.
“I am looking forward to leading the organisation, driving forward further positive change, making sure that Gentoo stays true to its social purpose, delivers for tenants in Sunderland, and builds on the fantastic legacy that Keith leaves behind.”
