Following the recent announcement of Anne Power’s retirement, we’re delighted to announce the appointment of David Orr, CBE, as her successor as Chair of Trustees at NCRC.
David has been a board member for the past three years and agreed to take on his new role after speaking with Anne directly.
Anne recognised David as the perfect fit for the role and a figure who has the Charity’s best interest in mind.
David has over 30 years of experience in social housing sector and has worked on several successful campaigns that have driven change in the industry.
In 2018, he was recognised for as he was awarded a CBE, for his work and commitment to highlighting the positive role of housing associations within society.
We are pleased to have someone who is passionate about delivering necessary change to this sector.
We asked David a few questions about his new role, and his intentions for the future:
What has led you to be Chair at NCRC?
“I’ve been on the board for over three years and have been impressed by both the history and our future opportunities at NCRC. When Anne Power announced she would be stepping down and asked if I would be prepared to take on the role I spoke to colleagues who were very supportive, so I accepted.”
What are your top priorities as the new chair of NCRC?
“To honour the history of NCRC and its commitment to communities, while using that history as the basis to craft an exciting future, approaching the core task of helping people who have so much to offer but no platform to become influencers in their communities. We need to create a stable future so that our work is sustainable and as effective as it possibly can be. And we need to continue to be a voice for change.”
How do you plan to build on the existing successes at NCRC?
“We have a very powerful and successful past which provides a solid foundation for building a compelling future. That history gives NCRC a legitimacy to ask awkward questions about the influence of local people in building successful, sustainable communities. We must make the most of that foundation.”
What are you most looking forward to as your new role as Chair?
“Working with such a talented board and team. There is a fantastic level of commitment to, and passion for, NCRC’s work which is highly motivating for me and others.
Also, building on the already successful youth programmes and working to develop new ways of increasing our influence and the influence of all those we work with.”
What NCRC initiatives are you particularly passionate about?
“I am very excited about the new programme we are developing working with remarkable, but unrecognised, community leaders and champions. There are so many people like this all over the country who fly below the radar and who deserve both greater support and greater recognition. And there are thousands of others who can have this kind of influence but have never had the opportunity or support to use these talents. Wouldn’t it be great if we could help to unlock an army of local community champions who could transform the influence communities have in shaping their own destiny?”
What inspired you to take on this role?
“I have believed for many years that leadership is always about engaging with the future and having the belief that it is possible, with imagination, creativity and commitment, to create a future which is better than the present. NCRC under Anne Power’s leadership has done this in the past. I am inspired to follow that lead and try to do that for our future. However difficult things are, we all have the power to imagine a better future and try to create it. NCRC has a great opportunity to do exactly that.”
The staff, partners and beneficiaries are all wishing the best of luck to David in his new role. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
