John Barker set to retire 

John Barker, Moat’s chief executive for the past 20 years, has announced he will retire later this year.

John has taken Moat from an organisation owning 1,500 homes in 1988 to one owning and managing over 18,000 homes today. He is widely regarded as one of the most astute and able leaders in the housing association sector.

Under John’s stewardship, Moat has turned itself into one of the key housing associations in South London and the wider South East of England. We have developed particular strengths in providing affordable home ownership and in regenerating areas, with involvement in some of the most prestigious developments in the country, including Greenwich Millennium Village, and in some highly successful partial and whole stock transfers from local authorities.

Customer service has also improved significantly through John’s direction. In our last residents’ survey, 82% of residents said they were satisfied with Moat as a landlord – well above the national average. But our aim is to drive this higher still – to move in John’s words from “good to great.”

John has always had a strong belief in social justice and a real empathy with Moat’s residents. He has created a clear vision for Moat and will leave us in a fantastic position to meet the challenges of the future.

He says “It’s been a tremendous privilege to have been part of Moat’s success and to have led such a committed team. However, I want the opportunity to work more flexibly in the future and to fulfil other ambitions. I’m intending to continue working within the housing sector, albeit on a different basis to the last 20 years!”

John Barker’s retirement will come once a successor is in place, but will be at some point during 2008. The Moat Board have begun the process of recruitment  for the position.

For more information contact John Barker on 0845 359 6333 or email john.barker@moat.co.uk