Mr Anu Vedi CBE, Chief Executive of Genesis Housing Group, announced today, that he would be leaving the organisation later this year.

"The Board has been aware for some time of my intention that this should be my last year at Genesis", Mr Vedi said. "After a decade as chief executive, and more than twenty with the Group, the time is right for me to move on. Of course, I will do so with mixed emotions. For so many years Genesis has been central to my life, and it will always have a special place in my heart. My colleagues here, from the most senior directors to the youngest and most junior members of our team are remarkable people, dedicated, generous and professional, and their friendship and support over the years has made my time at Genesis both a privilege and a pleasure".

Genesis' Chairman, Mr Adrian Bell said that the Group owed a great debt to Mr Vedi. "Anu will be a very hard act to follow. Over the past ten years, under his leadership, Genesis Housing Group has become a major force in the social housing market, to the point where today we own or manage over 38,000 homes.

His innovative leadership and his contribution within the social housing sector has been a notable part of Anu's approach, helping to shape and promote opportunities for so many people to have access to affordable, high quality housing".

Mr Bell said that Mr Vedi would play an important role in the selection and appointment of his successor. "I think nobody knows better the qualities and skills which are demanded for this particular role".

Mr Bell also paid tribute to Anu Vedi's stewardship of the company through the challenges of the current global economic downturn. "We greatly appreciate the fact that Anu chose to stay on to lead the business through this period of extremely difficult market conditions", Mr Bell said.

"Over the past year Genesis has faced very real challenges, and Anu has shown outstanding leadership in responding to these. The business model which Genesis now has in place takes account of the change in the economic environment, so that the Group is in very good shape to move forward once more. Any new Chief Executive will be able to look forward to the future of Genesis with confidence."

ENDS


For further information, please contact:

Jane Sadler - 020 7563 0026 / jane.sadler@ghg.org.uk
Diana Evans - 020 7563 0028 / 07968 116721 / Diana.evans@ghg.org.uk

Notes to editors

Anu Vedi joined Genesis in 1988 as Director of Finance, and was appointed Chief Executive in April 1999. Genesis is one of the UK's largest and most diverse housing groups, owning and/or managing more than 38,000 homes.

Entering the Housing sector in 1982, he worked as the Finance Director of two large Housing Associations before joining PCHA (now a subsidiary of Genesis Housing Group) in 1988.

Under Anu Vedi's leadership, Genesis has experienced significant growth and has invested heavily in building communities, delivering much needed housing and innovation as a social enterprise.

Anu Vedi is recognised for his passionate commitment to the communities he serves, recognising that Genesis Housing Group's role is not only about building and managing good quality homes but also about improving lives. Under his direction, Genesis has taken a leading role in initiatives within deprived communities, including the provision of training and employment programmes, financial inclusion programmes for young and elderly people, and tackling anti-social behaviour.

This vision was instrumental in the creation of Genesis Community, the Group's charitable foundation which was launched in 2005 to tackle the challenges of deprivation and social exclusion in disadvantaged areas. Genesis Community builds on a strong track record of community initiatives and regeneration already undertaken by Genesis, and is now running some 50 community projects.

At the same time, Anu Vedi has placed great emphasis on instilling a culture of customer service within Genesis, and this has been evident in the Group's hard-won reputation for its strong service commitment.

In 2006, reflecting his innovative leadership within the housing sector, Anu Vedi was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to housing.

A qualified Chartered Accountant and (ACA) and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (MCIH), Anu Vedi is also a board member of the Dolphin Square Trust and Relationships Foundation Advisory Board. He is married, with two children.