Golding Homes manages more than 8,500 homes across Kent and serves over 20,000 customers from its base in Maidstone. As the organisation prepared for its next phase of delivery, including a major asset investment programme, regeneration activity and evolving regulatory requirements, it took the strategic decision to reshape executive leadership and create greater focus across its core services.
The Challenge
Golding Homes had reached a point where the breadth of responsibility within a single Chief Operating Officer role no longer reflected the scale of its ambitions. The organisation was progressing a significant investment programme, advancing regeneration plans and preparing for future regulatory and operational priorities.
Creating a new Executive Director of Property role was an important strategic decision. The successful candidate would need to lead strategic asset management, repairs and maintenance, development, regeneration, sustainability and landlord compliance whilst contributing as a key member of the executive team.
The challenge was not simply identifying technical expertise. Golding required a leader capable of helping shape the next phase of the organisation's development and providing dedicated executive focus to one of its most important portfolios.
The Solution
We partnered closely with Golding Homes to deliver a targeted executive search for the newly created Executive Director of Property position.
Working with the leadership team, we focused on understanding the wider organisational context behind the appointment rather than viewing it as a traditional replacement search. The brief centred on identifying an individual who could provide executive leadership across a broad property portfolio whilst supporting Golding's ambitions around customer outcomes, investment, regeneration and organisational performance.
The search concentrated on leaders with a proven background in strategic asset management combined with the ability to operate at executive level and contribute to collective organisational leadership. Particular emphasis was placed on finding someone capable of leading multiple specialist functions, building credibility quickly and supporting the organisation's long-term priorities.
The Outcome
Neil Diddams joined Golding Homes as Executive Director of Property, becoming a key member of the executive leadership team during an important period for the organisation.
The appointment provided dedicated executive ownership across Golding's property functions, including repairs and maintenance, strategic asset management, development, regeneration, sustainability and landlord compliance.
Importantly, the appointment supported Golding's wider leadership redesign, enabling the former COO portfolio to be separated into specialist executive functions with clearer accountability and focus.
By securing a leader with responsibility for the full property agenda, Golding strengthened executive capacity at a time when the organisation was progressing significant investment activity, preparing for future regulatory requirements and continuing to improve services for customers.
The Impact
Leadership structures often evolve when organisations reach new stages of maturity and ambition.
For Golding Homes, the creation of the Executive Director of Property role represented an investment in specialist executive leadership and future organisational capacity. The appointment provided focused leadership across a critical area of the business whilst supporting wider strategic objectives around asset investment, regeneration, compliance and customer outcomes.
The assignment demonstrated the value of understanding the organisational challenge behind the brief. By helping Golding secure the right executive leader for a newly created position, we supported an important leadership transition designed to strengthen delivery for the years ahead.
“What I really valued the team at Neemar is how they took the time to understand me, my experience, my leadership style and what would genuinely matter to me if I was going to consider making a significant career move. “Throughout the process, they gave me a clear and honest view of the organisation, the role, the culture and the opportunity ahead. They helped me think carefully about the fit, both professionally and personally, and gave me the space and confidence to make the right decision. “Their support at each stage was excellent. I felt well prepared and well informed, but never over-managed or pushed. The advice and feedback I received helped me go into each conversation feeling clear, confident and able to be myself. “I am genuinely grateful for the part Neemar Search played in my appointment. They brought professionalism, insight and a very human approach to executive recruitment, and I would happily recommend them to organisations looking for senior leaders and to individuals considering their next executive move”.Neil DiddamsExecutive Director of Property, Golding Homes
“I have worked with Tom for many years as he has grown the business. What he has retained through the growth, is the personal touch. We were able to have frank conversations about the market and Golding’s needs to ensure the search was well focused. I felt like a genuine priority, not one client amongst many. “I think it is also important to touch on the positive feedback I have had from candidates about the service they receive from Neemar to help them be their best. This is an often overlooked part of the total recruitment service. “The Neemar team are professional, responsive and focused on meeting our technical and cultural requirements. I would recommend Neemar to provide a tailored service to meet your recruitment needs”.Steph GoadChief Executive, Golding Homes (Hiring Client)
