Housing trust chief set to retire after 16 years in post
The chief executive of a Birmingham housing trust is to retire after leading the charity for 16 years.
Peter Roach, chief executive of Bournville Village Trust, is credited with introducing the benefits of open space into modern town planning.
During his time at the trust, which was founded in 1900 by philanthropist and chocolate-maker George Cadbury, Mr Roach has led the management and development of the Bournville estate, which is recognised as laying the foundations for latter day garden cities. He will leave his post next spring.
Mr Roach has also overseen the creation of hundreds of new homes in Birmingham and Telford, including a 1,000-home garden village development in Lightmoor, Telford – inspired by the Bournville model.
Under his leadership, the Trust has also embarked Birmingham’s first £60m care village which, once complete, will be home to more than 400 older people and will integrate a range of housing and health services in partnership with others, including the NHS.
He said: “I am very proud over my 36-year-career in housing to have been involved in meeting people’s housing needs, providing care and support services and creating communities where people choose to live.
“I shall look back over my 16 years at Bournville Village Trust with particular fondness and I feel very fortunate to have worked for such a special organisation, interpreting George Cadbury’s vision to ensure the Trust continues to achieve its mission in the 21st century.”
Duncan Cadbury, chair of Bournville Village Trust, said: “Peter has made a fantastic contribution to the Trust over the last 16 years, acting as an excellent ambassador and inspiring leader. We will miss his dedication and enthusiasm for providing housing and services that make a real difference to people’s lives. On behalf of all trustees, I wish Peter a well-deserved and enjoyable retirement.”
Before joining Bournville Village Trust, Mr Roach was the chief executive of Mercian Housing Association for 14 years and chief accountant at Orbit Housing Association. A qualified accountant, he also spent six years in local government.
The Trust will begin to recruit for his replacement next month.
