Hightown’s Director of Finance, David Skinner, has announced he will be retiring from the role in late summer 2025 after a 48-year career in the not-for-profit sector, including 20 years in local government and 28 years working for housing associations.
He began working in the social housing sector in 1997 with the William Sutton Trust before taking on the role of Finance Director at their subsidiary, Ridgehill in 2006. Prior to joining Hightown in 2009, David was Director of Financial Services at the newly merged Affinity Sutton Housing Group.
David has played a pivotal role in driving financial stability and success at the 9,000-property provider, which has seen a period of rapid growth since he joined, expanding from just over 3,000 units in 2009 and more than doubling its turnover in the last decade to £121 million in 2024.
David Skinner commented:
“I’ve really enjoyed working alongside so many dedicated and inspiring colleagues through many exciting times, raising around £1 billion in capital finance from banks and institutional investors in my career. There have been some great highlights at Hightown, including the first retail charity bond loan of £27 million to a housing association through ORB on the London Stock Exchange in 2015 and then a further £31.5 million in 2017. More recently, we've been active in the capital markets with a £100 million unsecured Green Note Purchase Agreement in 2021, popular with North American investors, and a further £125 million Green Note Purchase Agreement in 2023.
“It’s been a huge privilege to be part of Hightown’s enduring mission to build affordable homes for people who are in housing need and to support those who are the most vulnerable in society.”
Hightown Chief Executive, Maxine Espley MBE, added:
“David has been instrumental in steering Hightown’s strong financial position, enabling us to continue to meet our strategic objectives to provide much needed social housing and care and support services as well as contributing to the supply of affordable homes through an ambitious development programme. We thank David for his hard work and dedication to Hightown over the past 16 years and wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in life.”
A recruitment campaign for David’s successor is underway and more details on the appointment will be announced once recruitment has concluded.
