Following the appointment of Peter Cogan as Chief Executive, Red Kite Community Housing began reshaping its executive structure to ensure the organisation was equipped for the future. As a tenant-led housing association managing more than 6,600 homes across High Wycombe, Red Kite wanted to strengthen accountability across customer services, housing management and property operations. To support this ambition, the organisation created a new Chief Operating Officer position, bringing together services that had previously operated separately under a single executive leader focused on performance, resident experience and operational excellence.
The Challenge
The creation of the Chief Operating Officer role formed a key part of Red Kite's evolving leadership structure.
This was a newly established executive position with responsibility for customer services, housing management, resident engagement, communities, feedback, property services and repairs. Bringing these functions together under one leader created an opportunity to improve alignment, accountability and service delivery across the organisation.
The brief required a leader with deep operational credibility, particularly within property services and repairs, while also possessing a genuine appreciation for the importance of housing management and resident engagement.
Red Kite needed someone capable of balancing operational performance with customer outcomes, someone who understood that successful housing services rely on strong property operations, effective resident relationships and clear organisational accountability. Equally important was finding an executive who could work closely with the Board, identify emerging risks and support a newly appointed Chief Executive in building a high-performing leadership team.
The Solution
Neemar Search partnered closely with Peter Cogan to define the profile required for this newly created executive position.
The search focused on senior housing leaders with substantial experience across property operations, repairs, customer services and housing management. Beyond technical expertise, the successful candidate needed to demonstrate the ability to unite diverse operational teams behind a shared vision for service excellence and organisational performance.
Particular attention was given to identifying leaders who understood the increasing importance of regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction and operational risk management. Candidates were assessed on their ability to use data effectively, lead large multidisciplinary teams and build strong relationships with Boards and governance structures.
Through a targeted executive search process, Neemar engaged a carefully selected market of operational leaders capable of delivering both strategic oversight and practical operational improvement.
The search concluded with the appointment of Darren Mealings as Red Kite's first Chief Operating Officer.
The Outcome
Darren Mealings joined Red Kite Community Housing at a significant point in the organisation's development.
Throughout the process, Darren's ability to combine strong operational expertise with a genuine commitment to resident-focused services stood out. His experience leading large operational functions, coupled with a deep understanding of property services and housing management, aligned closely with the objectives behind the newly created role.
Darren also brought considerable experience working alongside Boards and Executive Teams, helping organisations identify risks early and respond proactively before challenges escalate. His leadership approach, centred on empowerment, accountability and trust, provided Red Kite with a leader capable of bringing together previously separate functions under a clear and consistent operational strategy.
The appointment strengthened Red Kite's executive capacity and established a dedicated leadership position focused on delivering high-quality customer and property services through a single operational framework.
The Impact
The creation of Red Kite's first Chief Operating Officer established clear executive accountability across customer services, housing management and property operations.
By bringing these functions together under a single leadership portfolio, the organisation strengthened alignment between resident experience, service performance and operational delivery. The appointment also enhanced the Executive Leadership Team, providing additional leadership capacity at a time when the organisation was investing in its future direction.
For Red Kite, the role created a stronger platform for operational oversight, improved organisational accountability and a more connected approach to delivering services that matter most to residents.
Candidate Testimonial
"I had the pleasure of working with Neemar during my recent successful appointment to COO at Red Kite Community Housing, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.
"Throughout the recruitment process, Neemar demonstrated exceptional professionalism, insight, and commitment. They took the time to truly understand both my experience and career aspirations, while also providing clear guidance and honest communication at every stage of the process.
"What stood out most was their ability to balance professionalism with a genuinely personable approach. Neemar were proactive, highly responsive, and consistently supportive, making what can often be a demanding recruitment journey feel smooth and well managed.
"Thanks to Neemar’s expertise and dedication, I secured a role that is an excellent fit for both my skills and long-term goals. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to any senior professional seeking their next opportunity, as well as to organisations looking for a trusted recruitment partner".
Darren Mealings, Chief Operating Officer, Red Kite Community Housing
Client Testimonial
"The recent Executive Recruitment campaign that Red Kite partnered with Neemar on clearly demonstrated why they have built such a strong reputation within the sector. From the outset, the process was thoughtful, well-managed and highly professional, with a strong understanding of both the technical requirements of the role and the broader organisational fit we were seeking.
The campaign was delivered with pace, transparency and attention to detail throughout. Communication was clear and consistent, candidate engagement was of a high quality, and the market insight provided gave us confidence at every stage of the process.
What stood out most was Neemar’s ability to combine professionalism with a genuinely collaborative approach. The engagement never felt transactional; rather, it reflected a true partnership focused on achieving the right long-term outcome for the organisation.
Overall, the process was straightforward, well organised and extremely positive from start to finish. We would have no hesitation in working with the Neemar team again on future executive appointments".
Peter Cogan, Chief Executive, Red Kite Community Housing
