Director steps up to lead Rochdale Boroughwide Housing

Date published: 01/05/2007

A director of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) takes over as Acting Managing Director from Tuesday 1 May.

Gareth Swarbrick has been Business Support Director since RBH was created in April 2002 to manage Rochdale Council's 14,500 homes.

Mr Swarbrick, aged 40, had previously worked for the Council since 1992, starting as a housing officer working at Bellshill and then Newbold. Before that he worked for Oldham Council Housing Department.

He lived in Milnrow as a child and attended St Thomas's Infant School in Newhey before moving to Oldham in 1975. He lives in Bolton and is married with four young children.

Mr Swarbrick will be Acting Managing Director until a permanent appointment is made, probably in the summer.

He takes over the top role following the retirement last week of Paul Neate, and said: "I am keen to ensure that RBH continues to improve the quality of services to tenants over the coming months, building on the sound foundations left by Paul Neate."

Gill Walch, who chairs the RBH Board, said: "I have every confidence that Gareth will lead the organisation forward over the next few months.  He has a wealth of experience and a commitment to delivering the best possible services.  I am looking forward to working with him in his new role."

Paul Neate had been Managing Director since the creation of RBH, having worked for the Council since 1979.  He and another senior RBH manager - Operations Director Brian Courtney - who retired last week were given a big send-off by colleagues past and present.  Mr Courtney had also been with RBH since the start and had previously worked for the Council since 1980.

The two men asked for donations to RBH's charities instead of gifts from colleagues, resulting in a collection of £760 to be shared by Springhill Hospice and the Robyn Brooks Trust.