A NEW chief executive has taken the reins at Northallerton-based Broadacres Housing Association.

Gail Teasdale, 49, succeeds Steve Towers who retired last year after 24 years in the role.

She has joined Broadacres from the Yorkshire-based national housing association, Accent, where she was executive director for finance and corporate services.

Her arrival coincides with the appointment of new board members and, together, they will oversee the delivery of a new corporate strategy to 2023 which will be focused on building 1,500 new affordable homes and the continual improvement of existing homes, services and communities.

Gail, who lives near Harrogate, said: “There are few things more important in life than feeling safe, secure and warm in your home.

“North Yorkshire has high rents and house prices. This is why providing affordable homes to rent and buy, through shared ownership, will continue to be is one of our main priorities. Alongside this, we need to tackle other issues that impact particularly on people living in rural areas."