Orbit Group has announced that Mark Hoyland, Group Chief Executive, has decided to step down in spring 2023, after six years leading the Group. He will take up a Chief Executive role outside the sector. The Board expects to announce a successor early in the new year.
Since Mark Hoyland has been Chief Executive Officer of the Group, he has built a strong leadership team, overseen the implementation of a new corporate strategy and Customer Promise for the Group, delivered over 6,600 new homes, invested over £30 million in community projects and created a values-led performance driven culture, which has seen the organisation recognised as a Best Companies Sunday Times Top 100 company.
Under his leadership, Orbit has achieved a number of firsts for the sector, including issuing the largest ever bond in the social housing sector, becoming the only national affordable housing provider to have achieved BS9997 British Standards in Fire risk management systems, and making a firm commitment to net zero carbon targets and biodiversity approach. The organisation has been widely recognised for its strong culture of health and safety, being awarded a Merit by the British Safety Council in its globally recognised International Safety Awards, and a RoSPA Highly Commended in the Public Service & Local Government Industry Sector Health and Safety Award.
David Weaver, Orbit Group Chair, commented: "On behalf of the Board and everyone at Orbit, I would like to thank Mark for his clear leadership and focus. He has been pivotal in shaping the Group's strategy and building a customer-centric culture, and under his tenure we have seen Orbit deliver the strongest set of financial results. He leaves behind him an experienced and established leadership team who will continue to drive Orbit forward.”
Mark Hoyland, Group Chief Executive, said: "I am proud of Orbit’s achievements. We have built a financially strong business and a robust and resilient operation, and I would like to thank the Board and Executive Team for their support and commitment to our vision.
“I am confident that Orbit will continue to go from strength-to-strength as a result of its people and values-led performance driven culture. I’ve been privileged to lead such a great group of talented people at Orbit, and I’d like to thank the whole team for their hard work and dedication to our mission to lead in building thriving communities.”
The announcement follows the publishing of Orbit’s Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2022 on 1 September 2022, where the Group reported its strongest financial performance, delivering increases in both turnover and surplus with a robust liquidity position.