New board chair appointed to drive Trivallis improvement (Saesneg yn unig)

Wales’ largest community mutual social landlord, Trivallis has appointed experienced business leader Nick Beckett as its new board chair.

Nick Beckett, 62 from Usk, joined the board of Trivallis at its February meeting, replacing outgoing chair Dr Jonathan Huish, who leaves after five years leading the association through Covid, floods and substantial internal restructuring.

Mr Beckett, who describes himself as “busily retired,” brings a lifetime of retail and property experience gained most recently as head of operations at Hammerson, where he led a team of 1,500 across a UK and Irish portfolio of 11 flagship shopping centres and retail outlets.

He is an experienced non-executive director and trustee, who serves on the boards of charity Mirus Wales, and the White Horse Federation, which runs more than 30 academy schools around Swindon.

“I have always worked in places that put the customer first. You won’t go far wrong if you do that, and I will ensure that is our focus at every board meeting.”

Commenting on joining the board at Trivallis, Mr Beckett said: “Having worked in commercial roles for the past 40 years, I wanted a role in retirement that allows me to make a difference to people’s lives, and becoming the chair of Trivallis fits the bill perfectly.

“I have always worked in places that put the customer first. You won’t go far wrong if you do that, and I will ensure that is our focus at every board meeting. I am very used to driving improvement and change, and do this by being tough but tender. I look for the best in people and try to bring out that touch of brilliance that is within each of us.

“I want everyone to fulfil their potential – staff, tenants and communities alike. I will lead the board focus on strategy and do that by drawing on the professional expertise of staff and leadership, and by listening to our engaged tenants and stakeholders.

“You should expect me to visible and present, and I look forward to meeting many of you as we work together to make Trivallis better.”

Trivallis chief executive, Duncan Forbes, said: “We held a rigorous recruitment process that included input and feedback from tenants and staff, as well as the appointment panel. Of a broad and talented pool of applicants, Nick was a clear choice, and I am very much looking forward to working with him to make Trivallis an employer and social landlord of choice in Wales.

“I want to thank Jon Huish for his commitment to Trivallis, and the work he did leading the board through some difficult times.”

Nick Beckett was appointed as Chair of the Trivallis board on 7 February 2023. His role as a non-executive director will be ratified at the next annual general meeting of shareholders (July 2023) for a three-year term of office. Board members can serve a maximum of three full terms (nine years)

Nick lives in Usk. He is married with three grown-up children and three busy grandchildren. When not engaged in his non-executive and trustee roles, he plays walking football 3-4 times each week.