I DON’T normally read the Meet the Boss page in The Northern Echo (Echo, Nov 13). However, when I saw the photograph of Ian Wardle, the new chief executive of the Thirteen Housing Group, under the headline ‘Housing chief back where he belongs’ I was very interested indeed.

I first meet Ian many years ago when he was on a competitive shortlist to become a very young director of regeneration at Redcar & Cleveland Council.

Ian proved to be excellent in the role. Working with Ian as leader of the council for several years, we had many challenges on the regeneration front, not least having to change direction on our Redcar sea front projects.

Notwithstanding that change of direction, the outcome was successful. In the Echo article, Ian rightly said his favourite North-East building is the Redcar & Cleveland Community and Leisure Heart.

Whilst it was sad when Ian left to go to Reading, I along with others were pleased that he returned home to his native North-East. We wish him well at the Thirteen Housing Group and who knows, Ian may well make a huge contribution on the housing front, especially for those on lower incomes.

George Dunning, Ormesby