Steve Coffey, Torus Group Chief Executive, has been welcomed to The National Housing Federation’s (NHF) board as they prepare to begin work on a new 5-year business strategy.

Steve joins Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody, and Victor da Cunha of Curo Group, as new appointees bringing a diverse range of skills and expertise to the NHF board to help strengthen their strategic planning and governance.

Steve grew up in social housing and has over 30 years’ experience in the sector. In 2008, he led Liverpool Mutual Homes’ LSVT and was Chief Executive for 10 years prior to leading a merger with Torus, where he has spearheaded the creation of a strong, diversified and award-winning housing Group. Torus now is the North West’s largest stock-holding affordable homes provider, with a large development pipeline of 1,000 homes a year. In 2022, Steve became Chair of Homes for the North, which was created to influence national policy to deliver more and better homes in the north.

Steve Coffey, Torus Group Chief Executive, says:

"I’m delighted to join the National Housing Federation Board during such a pivotal time for our sector. Housing associations are at the heart of our communities and I’m looking forward to working alongside Board colleagues to play our part in helping the sector deliver during this critical time.

“The NHF is vital in ensuring the views of its members are heard and the impact of the sector is felt as we look to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable homes for everyone."

Maggie Galliers CBE, Chair of the National Housing Federation, says:

“We are delighted to welcome Ian McDermott, Steve Coffey and Victor da Cunha to our board, further strengthening our strategic planning and governance. I’ve no doubt that our trio of new board members will be a real asset in helping us to continue to support our members to deliver their social purpose.

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, says:

“Our new board members bring a wealth of expertise and the experience of leading housing associations across diverse geographies and housing markets, covering the north west, the south west and London.

“Our new board members join us at a really exciting time for the NHF as we begin to shape our business strategy, and I look forward to hearing their insights and inputs as we develop this further.”