Gentoo Group Chief Executive, Peter Walls, has today announced that it is the right time for him to move on from Gentoo Group. The operational running of Gentoo will be handed over to Deputy Chief Executive John Craggs, with immediate effect.
Peter will remain associated with Gentoo in a variety of community roles until he leaves the business in April 2016.
John Walker, Chair of Gentoo said: “Peter’s outstanding energy and vision has driven Gentoo forward. It is an innovative and entirely customer centred organisation, with an extraordinarily positive staff culture, and a national reputation for thought leadership. The Group and the customers of Gentoo are all in his debt, and we wish Peter the best in his future plans. We are pleased that he will remain associated with Gentoo in various community roles, and look forward to working with him in those capacities in future.”
It was announced at the same time that John Craggs, Gentoo’s Deputy Chief Executive, would act as interim Chief Executive until a permanent successor could be appointed in due course. John Walker commented: “John Craggs is widely known and respected across Gentoo, the North East and housing more widely. He will take the reins at a time of change and challenge, and with the full support of the Board and Peter Walls.”
Peter has been Group Chief Executive of Gentoo since the original transfer in 2001, and before that had a distinguished career in local government for 30 years, ending up as Director of Health and Housing in Sunderland from 1979 to 2001. He said: “I’ve been privileged to lead Gentoo, and to have been part of its growth and change for so long. Together with all my colleagues, we have been able to improve housing, communities and lives across Sunderland and beyond, and can all be proud of what’s been achieved. Now, a new era is starting, for Gentoo and for housing associations more widely, and I’m leaving a great organisation and a great team for a new leadership to take forward.”
