Meet the leadership team of the National Housing Federation.
Chief executive of the National Housing Federation
David was elected onto the board as an executive board member in September 2009. David Orr is chief executive of the Federation and recently former President of CECODHAS-Housing Europe, the European Liaison Committee for Social Housing. He has chaired the mobility taskforce which recently reported on how to increase social housing mobility. He also sits on the board of The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC).
Director, campaigns and neighbourhoods
Gill has worked in both the public and the private sector with her early career spent mainly in the financial services industry. More recently Gill has worked for the Countryside Agency and the Commission for Rural Communities. Gill's team leads the Federation’s work on behalf of housing associations and the people they serve, in the areas of campaigns, policy, research and communications at the national, regional and local levels.
Director, campaigns and neighbourhoods
Ruth started her career as a newspaper journalist, before defecting to the world of PR. She has since worked in the public and not-for-profit sectors across education, local government, health, and housing. Ruth's team leads the Federation’s work on behalf of housing associations and the people they serve, in the areas of campaigns, policy, research, information and regionally.
Director of operations
Before joining the Federation Simon’s most recent role was at EEF, the manufacturers organisation, an employers association with 3,000 members, where he was finance director and company secretary. Prior to that he held wide ranging finance director positions in organisations with a focus on property, facilities management and business services.
Director of commercial services
Elaine started her career with the BBC, working with the exhibition unit to provide their pavilion at the London and Northern Ideal Home Exhibitions. In 1988 she moved to the CBI and in 2001 joined Kensington Publications Ltd (KPL) as events director. In 2006 Elaine became director of commercial services at the Federation with responsibility for products and services.