Our Chair of the Board, Mike Gaskell, is retiring with immediate effect, as he focuses on recovering from a period of ill health. Mike has been an outstanding leader and advocate for the housing sector throughout his long and distinguished career, and we are deeply grateful for his service and commitment to YHG.
Since joining as Chair in 2023, Mike oversaw YHG return to the highest governance rating of G1, reflecting our strong leadership and robust governance framework. Mike has also played a pivotal role in mentoring our senior leadership team, helping to shape the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring we remain focused on delivering for our residents and communities.
Mike’s eminent career has included Chairing the founding Board of Trafford Housing Trust, a role he described at the time as ‘Just about the best thing I've ever done’. This was followed by serving as Chair of Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association, as well as further Board positions at Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Wakefield and District Housing, before joining YHG.
Jacque Allen, our Chief Executive, said: “Mike’s leadership, expertise and wise counsel have been invaluable. His distinguished career and unwavering commitment to improving lives through housing are a legacy he can be incredibly proud of. On behalf of everyone here at YHG and everyone who cares about making sure more people have a safe place to call home, I want to thank Mike for his dedicated service and wish him the very best for the future.”
Mike’s departure will trigger the Group’s succession planning which will see the current Vice Chair of the Board, Bev Messinger, step up as Interim Chair while we undertake a thorough recruitment process that will commence in the New Year to appoint a permanent successor to Mike.