ERoSH appoints new chair

At its annual general meeting on Tuesday 8 February 2005, Lucy Cooper MCIH, Assistant Director, StepForward (Metropolitan Housing Partnership), was appointed Chair of ERoSH, the national consortium for sheltered housing.

Lucy is delighted with this appointment. She said: 'I have been involved with sheltered housing in some form or other throughout my 30 year career. I am passionate about the need to work together to ensure we raise standards within the sector. I have been involved with ERoSH since its inception in 1996. I certainly have the commitment, and hope to have the energy required to chair ERoSH at this critical period of the sector's evolution.'

Lucy, who is a founding trustee of ERoSH and has previously served as its Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, takes over from Linda Milton, chief executive of Waltham Forest Housing Association, who is stepping down after two years in the post.

Linda Milton said: 'I look back with pride at what has been achieved in the past two years, despite the challenges that sheltered housing providers have had to face. None of the achievements could have been done without the support, dedication and commitment of ERoSH's growing membership. I very much look forward to continue to be an active member of ERoSH's Executive, in my new role as Honorary Secretary.'

Lucy is the fourth chair of ERoSH, overseeing a membership of over 200 housing providers (a growth of 75 per cent in the last two years) and which now represents nearly three quarters of the sheltered housing stock in the UK. Other appointments made at the annual meeting included:

• Linda Milton of Waltham Forest Housing Association takes over the post of Honorary Secretary; while
• Dave Morris of Guinness Trust takes over from Imogen Parry, independent consultant, as Chair of the Collaboration and Development Group.

Michele Hollywood (Hanover Housing Association) remains as Chair of the Marketing group, Meic Phillips (Epic Trust) remains as Vice Chair, Treasurer and facilitator of the e-reference group, and Jo McTavish (Hyde Housing Association) remains as Chair of the Regional Development group.

ERoSH is overseen by an executive which has representation from and association with large and small registered social landlords, local authorities, tenants, and national bodies such as the National Housing Federation, Help the Aged, Age Concern England, the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies and the Elderly Accommodation Counsel.