Directorate Change

London & Quadrant Housing Trust

17 December 2024

 

Ed Farnsworth appointed as L&Q's Executive Group Director, Finance

L&Q has announced that Ed Farnsworth will take up the role of L&Q's Executive Group Director for Finance from 1 January 2025. His appointment follows the October announcement that the current Group Finance Director, Waqar Ahmed, will be stepping down from his role in the new year.

Ed joined L&Q as a graduate trainee in January 2005, holding various Finance roles before being appointed Deputy Group Finance Director in 2019.  He is a qualified accountant with extensive experience of working in social housing finance and is committed to the positive social impact the sector has on communities and residents' life chances. Ed is also Co-Chair of Barking Riverside Limited, a Board Member and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at North London Muslim Housing Association, and Chair of the National Housing SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) Working Party for the sector.

In his new role Ed will build on his work to forge a financial strategy based on strong commercial discipline. This will enable L&Q to continue making landmark investments in the safety, quality and sustainability of resident's homes, while providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable groups in society, and maximising the delivery of new, affordable homes.

Speaking about the announcement, Ed said: "I started my career in housing at L&Q almost two decades ago, and I'm now proud to step into this role in such a values-driven organisation. Housing associations play a vital role in supporting the communities we serve, and I'm eager to ensure we remain a resident-led organisation by developing a financial strategy that supports and strengthens our social mission."

L&Q Chief Executive, Fiona Fletcher-Smith said: "We're delighted to welcome Ed to this crucial role. He'll be stepping up at an exciting time when we're laser-focussed on delivering our corporate strategy to provide better homes, services and outcomes for residents, as well as exploring new opportunities to enable us to continue building the new homes this country so desperately needs."

Ed's appointment follows a rigorous process supported by Page Executive which included stakeholder sessions with the Chair of L&Q's Resident Services Board, and the Chairs of the housing association's internal colleague diversity networks.

As previously announced, after stepping down Waqar Ahmed will continue to work with L&Q to support the handover to Ed in the new year and begin an advisory role focused on initiatives exploring opportunities to facilitate increased investment in affordable housing.

For further information, please contact:

[e-mail]

James Howell, Director of Partnerships                     020 8189 1596

www.lqgroup.org.uk

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