Ref:PRSH181
Date: 1^stAugust 2017 

Appointment strengthens SARH leadership team

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Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Stephen Duffill as Executive Director of Resources.

Stephen brings a wealth of experience to a role that will see him responsible for corporate functions such as governance and IT, as well as the continued development of back-office and support services for colleagues at Stafford's leading provider of affordable homes.

Having trained as an accountant with the Ministry of Defence, Stephen has since held a number of Director of Corporate Services roles, primarily with companies involved in training, education and business-to-business services.

Prior to joining SARH he ran his own company offering interim management services, principally to public sector and not for profit organisations.

On taking up his new role, Stephen said: "I'm really looking forward to working with the senior leadership team and supporting colleagues across the organisation to provide the best possible service to customers.

"I've already been impressed by the friendliness of the organisation and its commitment both to the people it serves and its employees.

"Moving forward, I aim to help SARH secure funding to build more affordable homes to meet local needs, and further improving our data collection to provide valuable information that'll help us to make more informed decisions. This is at a time when we face a number of challenges, not least those resulting from welfare reforms and the current financial climate.

"Most importantly though, I'm excited at the prospect of being part of an organisation with a core vision of making Stafford, Stone and the surrounding rural areas a better place to live and work and is already making a real difference within the communities it serves."

Originally from Manchester, Stephen now lives in the East Midlands but has strong connections with Stafford, having lived in the area several years ago.

On his return to the town, SARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Stephen to the leadership team.

"His extensive experience will help us to strengthen our offer to customers whilst helping us to become even more efficient. This is particularly important as housing associations such as ours are being asked to do more within an increasingly difficult economic environment."

Married with four children, outside of work Stephen enjoys motorcycle sport and has spent a number of years renovating his own home.

Caption: Stephen Duffill, Executive Director of Resources at SARH.

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About Stafford and Rural Homes

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is the largest social landlord in Stafford with around 6,000 homes across Stafford, Stone and the rural villages across the Borough. Established in 2006 to own and manage the former Stafford Borough Council housing stock, SARH set up a trading subsidiary company Housing Worx, to deliver planned maintenance works to its properties and fulfil commercial contracts in 2012. SARH also offers 18 Independent Living schemes for people aged over 55 and an award winning Telecare home safety and personal security system for the elderly and vulnerable. SARH has invested more than £100 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and building over 500 high quality new homes for rent and shared ownership which have benefited SARH customers by improving neighbourhoods and creating job opportunities for local people. The housing association works in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities where residents can ‘Live, Work and Grow'.

Follow SARH on Twitter@SARHomes

Media contact:

Martin Farrow

CHANGEWORKS Communications
t:  + 44 (0) 1785 247588

m: +44 (0)7771 970025

e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:

Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager

t:01785 216793 (Direct) 

m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  

e:mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk