Northern Ireland social housing provider Choice Housing has strengthened its leadership team with five senior appointments as it continues to expand its services and housing provision.

The appointments include three newly created positions, increasing the organisation’s senior leadership team from 13 to 18 across the group.

Choice currently owns and maintains around 14,000 properties across Northern Ireland. The new appointments come as the organisation continues to invest in its people and services during its 50th anniversary year.

Ken Ryan has joined Choice from Citibank as Head of Facilities Management, where he will oversee operational contracts. Shona Burke has also joined the organisation as Head of Customer Services, bringing experience in operational leadership across the retail, customer service and regulated service sectors.

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Three of the appointments are internal promotions. Deirdre Steele has been appointed Head of Maple & May, Choice's private rental subsidiary, while Leeanne Magee takes up the role of Regional Head of Tenant & Client Services and Chris McGrath becomes Head of Legal Services.

Choice said the appointments are intended to strengthen the skills and leadership capacity needed to support the organisation's continued growth and its delivery of homes and services to tenants across Northern Ireland.

As part of the changes at Maple & May, Stuart Parker has been appointed to oversee the subsidiary’s day-to-day operations following Steele’s move into the head of department role.

Maple & May recently announced plans to develop 300 new affordable rented homes across Northern Ireland over the next five years. The programme includes the delivery of its first Affordable Rent Homes scheme in partnership with the Department for Communities.

The latest appointments come as Choice marks 50 years of operation, with the organisation continuing to focus on housing development, customer services and investment in its workforce.