New Chair appointed to lead the Valleys to Coast Board

BRIDGEND-based housing association Valleys to Coast has appointed former Pobl Group Chief Executive Amanda Davies as the new Chair of its Board.

Amanda will join Valleys to Coast in April, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her career in housing, care and support services alongside board positions at the heart of Welsh regeneration and charitable causes.

She will step into the shoes of retiring Chair Anthony Whittaker, who bids farewell to Valleys to Coast after five years at the helm.

Amanda will work closely with the association’s Group Chief Executive Joanne Oak and the Executive Team providing strategic advice and scrutiny as the business continues its growth as one of the leading social housing landlords in Wales.

Valleys to Coast was the first Welsh housing association to be established as part of a large-scale voluntary transfer of local authority housing stock in 2003, taking ownership of over 6,000 homes from Bridgend County Borough Council.

Now in its 20th year the association continues to grow, supporting the regeneration of the borough through its development of new social housing to meet local housing needs, as well as striving to be a landlord of choice.

In April 2024 it will launch its first wholly owned subsidiary, Llanw, which will provide a new and improved repairs and maintenance service for its customers.

Amanda said it was the perfect time to join the Board and champion the delivery of great service delivery for its customers.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to join Valleys to Coast’s Board as Chair,” she said.

“I’m inspired by the values, culture and ambition of the organisation and I’m very much looking forward to getting to know everyone. I have plenty more to learn about Valleys to Coast but my early observation is that the Board, led by the outgoing Chair Anthony Whittaker, has created a real sense of ‘shared endeavour’ to enable and champion the delivery of great services to our tenants. I am committed to building on this solid foundation.

“As a sector we are in a time of change, opportunity and growing challenges. Our customers, communities and partners also continue to grapple with what has been a tough economic period.

“I’m excited about working with the Board, Joanne Oak, and her team, to make sure that Valleys to Coast is a resilient organisation delivering for our customers and communities.”

Joanne Oak, Group Chief Executive, added: “We welcome Amanda to Valleys to Coast at a particularly exciting time as we celebrate our 20th year and continue our ambitious programme of growth.

“Amanda’s passion for putting customers at the heart stood out in a very strong field of candidates for the role – something recognised by our customers who supported our recruitment and shared their questions and experience as part of our interview process.

“We very much look forward to working with Amanda and benefitting from her experience and expertise.”