Chair of the Board, Great Places
For Great Places, the right appointment would need to not only navigate change but actively lead through it, bringing credibility, sector knowledge, and the interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with a new leadership team and an evolving board. Neemar led a values-driven and inclusive search that reflected Great Places’ commitment to leadership that serves communities with integrity and insight.
The Challenge
Great Places was entering a period of significant board and executive transition. With longstanding Chair Mervyn Jones stepping down, a newly appointed CEO just a year into post, and concurrent recruitment of Non-Executive Directors, the organisation required a new Chair who could bring stability, strategic foresight, and board leadership. The timing also coincided with the formation of a new Growth Committee, further reshaping the organisation’s governance landscape.
From the outset, we built relationships with the CEO, executive team and board to define success for the role and establish a shared understanding of the qualities needed in the incoming Chair.
The Soluton
We co-created a robust evaluation framework focused on values, governance capability and board stewardship. Recognising the importance of diversity, we ensured the candidate pack and advertising were designed to be fully inclusive, free from gender-coded language, and aligned with Disability Confident principles.
Throughout the process, we prioritised inclusive practice and accessibility. The interview structure was curated to include resident input, centring the voice of the customer in a leadership appointment that would directly influence organisational culture and direction.
Using our North West network, we built a longlist that was both regionally informed and sector-intelligent. We fielded a strong, diverse shortlist - 50% female, 25% identifying as Black, Asian or minority ethnic, and 25% with lived experience of social housing. This ensured Great Places had diversity of thought at the point of decision-making, supporting their ambition to reflect the communities they serve.
We also provided bespoke candidate preparation to ensure alignment on expectations and readiness for the panel, and managed a seamless scheduling process to ensure all candidates had a consistent and fair experience.
The Impact
Great Places appointed Cath Purdy, an experienced housing leader with a career deeply rooted in the North West. As former Chief Executive of South Lakes Housing and a Non-Executive Director at Housing Plus Group, Cath brought both executive insight and non-executive expertise.
Her leadership style has provided the board with the gravitas and stewardship needed at a time of change. She has rapidly built a trusted relationship with CEO Alison Dean, reinforced stability following a period of board expansion, and brought cohesion to a newly structured governance model.
Cath’s values, regional understanding, and inclusive leadership have positioned Great Places for a confident and purposeful future - supporting strong governance, community connection, and organisational resilience.
Candidate Testimoial
“Working with the team at Neemar Search was an outstanding experience from start to finish. What stood out most was the genuine care they showed in ensuring the opportunity was the right fit for me, as well as for the organisation. They took the time to understand my aspirations and what I was looking for in my next move.
"Communication throughout the process was excellent. I was kept informed at every stage, there were no surprises, and I always knew what to expect next. The team were transparent, responsive and professional, making the whole process feel straightforward and well managed.
I particularly appreciated the flexibility they demonstrated, taking into account my own considerations rather than rushing decisions. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Neemar Search team to anyone looking for a recruitment partner who genuinely cares about achieving the right long-term outcome.”
Client Testimonial
"Appointing a new Chair is one of the most important decisions a Board can make, particularly during a period of significant organisational change. Tom and the team at Neemar Search took the time to understand not only the technical requirements of the role, but also the culture, values and future direction of Great Places.
"The search process was well organised, transparent and collaborative throughout. We were presented with a high-quality and diverse shortlist, with every candidate bringing genuine strengths and a clear understanding of the opportunity. Neemar's communication was excellent, and they managed the process with professionalism, pace and attention to detail from beginning to end.
"Cath has been an outstanding appointment. She has quickly established strong relationships across the Board and Executive Team, providing thoughtful leadership, strategic challenge and stability at an important point in our journey. I would have no hesitation in recommending Tom and the Neemar Search team to any organisation seeking a trusted executive search partner for senior leadership or board appointments."
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