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Executive Designate announced for proposed new housing association

2 December 2025

Thrive Homes and Watford Community Housing have announced the Executive Designate for the proposed new housing association that could be formed following the potential merger between the two associations.

The Executive Designate announced today is:

  • Greg Whelan, Chief Financial Officer
  • James Ross, Group Director of Assets & Compliance
  • Nick Wright, Group Director of Development

These appointments are in addition to the previously announced Chair Designate, Hattie Llewelyn-Davies, and Chief Executive Designate, Paul Richmond.

Greg Whelan Watford Community Housing

Greg Whelan

Chief Financial Officer Designate
James Ross (1)

James Ross

Group Director of Asset & Compliance Designate
Nick Wright

Nick Wright

Group Director of Development Designate

Greg Whelan is currently Chief Financial Officer of Watford Community Housing. A qualified accountant and treasurer, Greg has 20 years’ experience in the social housing sector, including 11 years at Watford Community Housing earlier in his career and three years as an Assistant Director of Finance & Procurement at Housing Solutions.

Greg Whelan, Chief Financial Officer Designate, said:

“I am proud to have been given the responsibility of ensuring that the proposed new organisation is financially strong, so that we can deliver greater long-term stability and improved services for residents. The proposed partnership is an opportunity to form a larger Community Gateway housing association with the solid foundations and resilience to do more for people in our communities, while keeping residents at the heart of our work.”

James Ross will be taking on this new role from his current post as Director of Assets at Thrive Homes. An accomplished leader with over two decades in housing and management consultancy, James applies a data-driven approach to strategic assurance. He is currently responsible for the quality of Thrive’s portfolio, overseeing the in-house repairs teams and delivery of all planned improvements, including directing a ‘Healthy Homes’ programme to meet Awaab’s Law requirements.

James Ross, Group Director of Asset & Compliance Designate, said:

“I’m proud to be stepping into this role at such an important time, not only for our new organisation but for the sector as a whole. Our priorities are clear: to provide safe, decent, warm homes that our customers can rely on now and into the future, whilst driving forward sustainability through decarbonisation to meet EPC-C standards and achieve Net Zero targets.”

Nick Wright is currently Assistant Director of Partnerships and New Business at Watford Community Housing and is due to take the role of Interim Group Director of Partnerships from January 2026. With 35 years’ experience in the affordable housing sector, Nick has extensive expertise leading development teams and delivering sustainable growth in particular in the East of England region.

Nick Wright, Director of Development Designate, said:

“I’m excited to be part of a new organisation that has the potential to build on our existing partnerships and increase the provision of desperately needed social and affordable housing. By combining the two organisations’ existing development programmes, we will be in a strong position to maximise the delivery of new homes for our customers and communities.”

Other current executives of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes - including Jo Barrett, Alix Green, Penny Metcalf and Peter Cogan - have each, for their own reasons, decided to step down from their positions following the merger. These are individual decisions, made to explore new opportunities and directions, and the Boards of both organisations would like to thank them for their significant contributions.

The proposed merger between Thrive Homes and Watford Community Housing, currently under consultation, would create a new customer-focused Community Gateway housing association. If approved, the formal partnership could be in place by June 2026.

 

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

Please note that one final position in the Executive Designate, Group Director of Operations, is currently vacant.

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