Interim Director of People & Change, Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
Lincolnshire Housing Partnership was entering an important period of leadership transition. Alongside organisational change, the executive team was working to strengthen culture, embed a refreshed people strategy and continue its journey towards improved regulatory assurance. With Interim Chief Executive Officer Shaun Harley leading the organisation, maintaining progress depended on securing an interim Director of People and Change who could contribute immediately and provide stability at a pivotal moment.
The Challenge
This interim appointment carried far greater significance than filling a temporary vacancy. Lincolnshire Housing Partnership needed to protect the progress already made within its People and Change function while maintaining confidence across the organisation during executive transition.
The incoming leader would inherit a recently restructured directorate, help turn an emerging people strategy into meaningful delivery and provide continuity for colleagues navigating change. At the same time, the organisation remained focused on strengthening governance and supporting its improvement journey from a C2 to C1 regulatory grading. Any delay or unsuccessful appointment risked disrupting strategic priorities and reducing confidence at a critical stage.
The Solution
Neemar partnered closely with Lincolnshire Housing Partnership to build a detailed understanding of the assignment before approaching the market. Rather than focusing solely on technical capability, conversations centred on the organisational context, the immediate priorities facing the executive team and the leadership style needed to earn credibility quickly.
Using our established network of senior interim housing leaders, we identified individuals with first-hand experience of leading people functions during regulatory improvement, organisational change and executive transition. This targeted approach enabled Lincolnshire Housing Partnership to engage with interim candidates who had already delivered in comparable circumstances, avoiding the delays associated with a broad market search and giving the organisation confidence that the successful appointee could make an immediate contribution.
The Outcome
Neemar successfully appointed an interim Director of People and Change who brought stability and direction from the outset. The appointment ensured the People and Change function maintained continuity during executive transition while providing consistent leadership for colleagues across the organisation.
The successful interim quickly established trusted relationships with the executive team and wider business, helping convert strategic ambitions into practical delivery. They maintained momentum behind key people initiatives, strengthened confidence within the directorate and supported wider organisational change without diverting focus from long-term priorities. By providing experienced leadership at exactly the right time, the appointment allowed Lincolnshire Housing Partnership to continue progressing its strategic objectives while maintaining organisational confidence throughout a demanding period.
The Impact
This assignment demonstrated how the right interim appointment can protect organisational progress when leadership continuity matters most. Rather than allowing executive transition to slow delivery, Lincolnshire Housing Partnership secured experienced leadership that provided immediate reassurance, maintained focus on its people strategy and supported wider organisational priorities. For Neemar, the appointment reinforced the value of understanding the risks behind the brief, not simply the vacancy, enabling the organisation to continue moving forward with confidence.
Client Feedback
“We needed someone who could take early-stage ideas and turn them into delivery, and do that in a complex environment. What stood out was the ability to balance being values-led and people-focused, while still driving action and holding momentum.
“In a moment where I needed to act quickly, it was a straightforward decision. Neemar understand the housing sector, they understand the challenges we’re facing, and they have access to people who can come in and make an impact immediately.
“There’s a level of trust. You know the people being introduced will operate at the right level, pick things up quickly, and add value straight away. That was exactly what we needed.”
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