Nottingham City Homes CEO to step down

The chief executive of Nottingham City Homes (NCH) is to step down after it was confirmed that the organisation is set to be brought back in house by Nottingham City Council.

In a message to staff, Nick Murphy said it had been a “privilege” to head up the business for the past decade.

He will vacate his position on 31 July.

The NCH Board has agreed to replace the role of chief executive with an interim director of transition following the decision.

The news comes amidst a turbulent period for Nottingham City Council and NCH.

Last month, we revealed that the Government is set to appoint commissioners to take over certain decision-making functions at the Council after up to £40m was reportedly misspent by the authority.

Meanwhile, NCH is reported to have misused funds of up to £17.1m.

Malcolm Sharp MBE, chair of the NCH Board, said: “the Board are grateful to Nick for all his contribution, enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to NCH and our tenants and will now work with Nick to make sure that all relevant transitional arrangements are put in place for the running of NCH until the date of transfer.

“The Board are confident that NCH employees and partners will continue to deliver housing services with the same level of commitment and diligence they have always shown despite this period of change. I am sure all the employees and partners of NCH would wish to join me and the Board in wishing Nick ongoing success for the future.”

Murphy said: “It has been a privilege to lead Nottingham City Homes over the last decade. I have worked with talented and committed colleagues, and together we have transformed homes and neighbourhoods across the city. Our services to tenants have improved over the years. I am proud of what we have achieved, and I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part along the way.”

Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for housing and human resources, Cllr Toby Neal, said: “We acknowledge and respect the NCH Board’s decision to replace the role of chief executive with an interim director of transition. We will continue to work with the Board to ensure a smooth transition of services back to the City Council.

“I would like to thank Nick Murphy for his many years of dedicated service to Nottingham City Homes, which under his leadership became Landlord of the Year and built many hundreds of new homes.

“During his tenure, NCH tenants have benefitted from a greater say over how their homes are managed as well as from improved housing standards including warmer, greener, more energy efficient properties that bring their bills down. We wish him well in the future.”