Aster appoints Richard Blakeway as Non-Executive Director to strengthen customer-focused Board scrutiny

Aster Group has appointed former Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway as a Non-Executive Director, effective 1 October 2026.

Having previously been Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, Chair of the Homes for London Board and Non-Executive Director of Homes England, Richard brings extensive experience across housing to the Group. His knowledge on policy, regulation, governance and customer accountability will support the Boards’ oversight of how Aster delivers for customers.

Richard served as Housing Ombudsman from 2019 to July 2026. During his tenure, the service expanded its work on housing conditions and learning from complaints, introduced the Complaint Handling Code and increased transparency through the publication of decisions and landlord performance data.

As a Non-Executive Director, Richard will contribute to the Board’s collective oversight, providing independent judgement, constructive challenge and support. He will serve as a Non-Executive Director across Aster Group’s relevant register provider and subsidiary Boards for a three-year term from October 2026.

In addition, Richard will become a non-executive member of Aster’s Group Risk and Assurance Committee, supporting the Boards’ assurance over risk, performance, customer insight and service improvement.

Stephen Trusler, Group Chair at Aster Group, said: “From the various roles Richard has held over the years, he brings deep insight into the breadth of housing and importantly, what customers should expect from a housing association. He understands the challenges in planning, in delivering new homes and bringing affordable housing up to good quality. As Housing Ombudsman, he challenged the sector to raise standards, improve services and learn from feedback.

“We want our customers to have quality homes they are proud to live in. Listening to them, acting on their experiences and co-designing services with them are central to that. Richard’s experience will strengthen the Board’s oversight while we invest £1 billion in maintaining and upgrading our homes over the next seven years. He understands how Boards can use data, customer insight and assurance to make informed decisions, drive improvement and hold their organisations to account.”

Richard Blakeway, the new Non-Executive Director at Aster Group, added: “My time as Housing Ombudsman reinforced how much the quality of a home and the way a landlord responds can affect people’s lives. Responding to concerns and learning when things go wrong are fundamental to good housing services.

“I look forward to bringing that experience to Aster’s Boards and working with fellow Board members to support the Executive team to deliver good governance, constructive challenge and decisions that deliver better outcomes for customers.”