Torfaen housing association Bron Afon has a new chair of its board.
Craig Nowell has been a board member since 2018 but now takes the chair role at the community mutual which manages and maintains over 8,000 homes across Torfaen.
He is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years of experience delivering engineering, facilities management services, and infrastructure development within a variety of highly regulated sectors including consultancy, industry, and higher education.
He joined the University of Bristol in July 2021 as the development programme director leading on their new £500m Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus project.
During his time on the board, he has served as an independent board member, a member of the staffing committee and most recently as chair of the service and performance committee.
He said: “I’m excited to take on this new role. My career in engineering, estates and facilities, management, and housing means I understand that nothing is more important that a safe and secure home. Bron Afon is driven by people and its values, which strongly connect with my personal values. We’re facing challenging times in a difficult economic environment and cost of living crisis, but I’m confident Bron Afon is well placed to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.”
Outgoing chair Andrew Lawrence who stepped down after nine years in the role said: “I am proud to have played a role in the growth and progress Bron Afon has made over the last nine years and I’m confident that it will continue to meet the changing needs of its customers and local communities. Craig’s expertise and knowledge make him the right candidate for me to hand the baton on to. I wish him and everyone at Bron Afon success.”
Alan Brunt, chief executive at Bron Afon, added: “We’re grateful to Andrew for his dedication and leadership over the last nine years and we are thrilled to welcome Craig Nowell as our new Chair. As a valued member of our Board for five years, he shares our values and is a brilliant choice to lead us in our commitment to be a key partner in our communities, where everyone has a place they are proud to call home.”
