Catalyst Housing appoints new chief executive

Mr McDermott joins Catalyst from Aldwyck Housing Group, having served as its chief executive since October 2016.

Before joining Aldwyck Mr McDermott was chief operating officer at Sanctuary Group for five years.

He was recently elected as chair of Build East, an alliance of the largest developing housing associations based across the East of England.

Mr McDermott was previously chief executive of Shaftesbury Housing Group before it became part of Sanctuary Group, as well as chief executive of Riverhaven and Stonebridge Housing Action Trust.

His role formally begins in January, following Mr Cahill’s departure at the end of the year.

Richard Brown, chair of Catalyst’s board said: “Catalyst Housing is delighted to appoint Ian McDermott as the organisation’s CEO. Ian has a wealth of experience at CEO level in the housing sector, creating and growing customer-centric, high-performing organisations.

Mr McDermott said: “I am delighted to be joining Catalyst. It is a great organisation and I feel privileged to take over from Rod Cahill, one of the most respected figures in the housing sector.

“I very much look forward to working with the Catalyst team, and their stakeholders, to build on very firm foundations and deliver an ambitious agenda for the future.”