Group board chair the Rt Hon. Baroness Tessa Blackstone has announced her retirement and will be replaced by David Weaver
It was in 2013 that Blackstone joined the Board as a chair and has since served the maximum three terms of office.
She will be succeeded by existing David Weaver, who is currently the Orbit Group Board Member and Chair of Orbit’s Treasury Board will succeed her. This will be effective as of the 1 February 2022.
‘The UK’s housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges the country faces’
Baroness Tessa Blackstone has commented on her retirement: “Our vision to build thriving communities and make a real difference to our customers’ lives is more relevant than ever before.
“The UK’s housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges the country faces and I am proud that over the last 9 years, Orbit has grown to over 45,000 homes and now serves over 100,000 customers.
“In addition, Orbit has delivered 12,000 new homes and over £50m in community investment, helping to build homes and communities where people can thrive and achieve their full potential.
“It has been an enormous privilege and a huge pleasure to chair the Orbit Group Board. I am delighted that David is to be my successor. I wish him and everyone associated with Orbit all the very best for the future.”
‘David is passionate about our work to tackle the housing crisis‘
Orbit Group chief executive, Mark Hoyland, added:
“Tessa’s influence has been instrumental in making Orbit the organisation that it is today. Through her leadership we have innovated and driven change in the housing sector, leading the way with our customer centric, values led-performance drive culture.
“On behalf of all of Orbit, I would like to thank Tessa for her counsel and valued support during the last nine years.
“Equally, I am delighted that David will be stepping into the Chair role. David is passionate about our work to tackle the housing crisis and his extensive financial, technology and funding experience will be invaluable as we continue to deliver our Orbit 2025 strategy.
“After an extensive recruitment process, David’s appointment reflects the strength of the existing board and I look forward to working closely with him in his new role of Chair.”
‘Orbit has flourished under Tessa’s leadership.’
David Weaver commented on his appointment:
“Orbit has flourished under Tessa’s leadership. I am driven to ensure our customers’ voices are heard and help shape what we do as we continue to build diverse, mixed communities with affordable housing at the core.”
Weaver’s experience and skillset
- over 34 years of experience in the financial services sector
- CEO and chairman of the Board at Jefferies International in London
- advisor to investment firm Strategic Value Partners
- passionate about creating sustainable, socially diverse and economically viable communities
- genuine interest in social and public infrastructure
- built a public-sector finance team at a large bank in New York early in his career
- Orbit Group Board member since 2016, and Orbit Treasury Limited Board chair since 2018
