Based in Cornwall, Andy Moore has played an important part on the Board over the last seven years, particularly when it comes to his expertise around rural issues.
And it was his strong interest in rural housing, alongside 20 years of housing experience at CEO level that made him an obvious Board appointment seven years ago.
With his imminent departure, Andy has been reflecting on the range of challenges and successes he’s witnessed over his time with Hastoe.
Joining the Board, I was keen to help address the problems of low income and high property prices in rural areas. It creates difficulties for local people to secure good accommodation which is built to a good standard.”
Hastoe’s focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy was a big draw for Andy, too. “Hastoe was – and is - very much a leader in this field. This ticked the right boxes for me and I was interested in giving back and sharing my experience”.
Over the last seven years, he says the challenges and focus for Hastoe – and many other housing associations - have changed. “I have very much welcomed the recent focus on customer service” says Andy. “And also that we continue to commit to building more, quality new homes.”
He’s proud of the fact that Hastoe is dedicated to raising awareness of the lack of affordable homes in rural areas and the issues around sustainability. And he would like to see this continue.
Hastoe is the flag-waver for this issue, keeping rural housing in the public eye. This really is vital work. When we talk about levelling up, there is still a constant need to level up in rural areas as well as urban areas.”
Of all the housing schemes that Andy has visited, his favourites are in the area where he started his life working in rural housing, the Stratford upon Avon and Warwick districts of South Warwickshire. “I worked with about 50 parish councils. I got a third of them to consider developing rural housing schemes over a two to three year period. That will forever be closest to my heart because I know I was personally making a difference”.
Andy is also very proud of the positive impact of Hastoe housing schemes in Dorset and Somerset.
Not only can you see the difference Hastoe has made, but we can be proud of the housing product. Our quality of build shows through in those schemes in that part of the South West”.
In stepping down from Hastoe, Andy will continue his work as a Board member at Coastline Housing in Cornwall where he lives. He will also continue to help his local parish council with neighbourhood planning matters and he is a trustee of the village hall. So life will continue to be very busy for Andy in many ways. “I still play tennis a couple of times a week and I’m a life member of my running club; I run three to four times a week, although my running is slowing down gracefully!”
Here at Hastoe, we want to wish him all the best for the future and acknowledge his contribution and commitment to the Board over the last seven years.
