Chief Executive - #263209

West Kent has established itself as a vibrant, community-based organisation that is transforming the landscape of affordable housing across Kent. Since 1989, we have been providing vital homes and services to our communities, and over the last five years have driven through a major programme of growth, modernisation, and performance improvement. Today, West Kent is recognised locally and nationally as a high-quality landlord and developer, with 8,735 homes in management and growing steadily.

We are known for being resident-centred, financially strong, pro-active, and straightforward in the way we collaborate and engage with people and partners. Our strong relationships with local authorities, health, social care and charity partners, developers and other stakeholders reflect our commitment to creating thriving communities throughout Kent.

As our current Chief Executive Officer prepares for planned retirement in February 2026, we are seeking a new CEO to help shape and deliver the next stages of our evolution and modernisation. This is a pivotal appointment for an organisation that has ambitious plans, including creating 750 new homes over the next five years and reaching our goal of 10,000 homes in management, whilst moving forward at pace with our sustainability goals and journey to net zero carbon. Our new CEO will play a vital role in ensuring our people are energised by our strategy and equipped to deliver further improvement for customers and residents. They will help us navigate the fast pace of change in the external operating, funding, regulatory and policy environments, ensuring we have the resources, partnerships and people needed to achieve our goals. With aspirations to add a C1 rating to our strong G1/V2 governance ratings and plans to leverage our investment in technology and omnichannel systems to improve customer experience, this is an opportunity to drive meaningful change.

Financially strong and with a high-calibre board and markedly collegiate culture, our new CEO will have the drive, acumen, passion, and resources to reinvest in existing homes and develop new ones, ensuring West Kent remains a vibrant, sustainable organisation.

We are looking for an experienced strategic leader who will be a natural champion of West Kent's values and customer-focus, with an understanding of some of the diverse needs we are trying to meet in our communities. Previous CEO experience is not essential, and we welcome candidates with diverse sector backgrounds and the broadest possible range of life experiences and perspectives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate financial and commercial acumen, a track record of developing strategies and implementing change programmes, experience of managing key stakeholders and strategic partners, and an understanding of governance and board dynamics. Above all, they will be an inspiring and enabling leader of people who will enjoy and enhance West Kent's culture of collaboration, with the communication skills to engage diverse audiences and work productively with internal colleagues and external partners.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are central to everything we do, and we encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups, as we continue our journey of growth and transformation.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to West Kent Housing Association on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference KAMAB Alternatively email [email protected]. Applications should be received by noon on Tuesday 8 July.