James Walder
CEO
Working in an environment that gave him the opportunity to be part of the decision-making process, to challenge himself, and take on roles he hadn’t done before, were some of the reasons that James joined North Star in 2019. In 2024, James became only the fourth CEO in North Star’s 50 year history.
When James joined it was a group comprising four individual Housing Associations. One of his first projects was to work with the Board to simplify the structure of the Association, and its funding arrangements. “It was quite challenging at times,” he remembers, “but it meant that I was involved in every part of the project, from start to finish. It was a great experience and we delivered exactly what we wanted to.”
The Group Structure was collapsed to form one Housing Association-and the new, future-proofed funding allows North Star to develop more new homes.
James has always lived in Newcastle and is proud of his North East roots, but, until joining North Star, he had always worked in Newcastle. Having been in the social housing sector previously, he was aware of North Star having a strong reputation of punching above its weight, and he was keen to return to the sector in a role that allowed him to have more influence.
As well as managing the Finance, Digital and Data teams, James’ responsibilities include governance; procurement; insurance; risk; GDPR; and he is the Company Secretary.
North Star holds the Investors in People Platinum award, and James knew that there would be opportunities for him to personally develop in the company.
“Being somewhere that is really focused on staff development means that I’m getting the chance to stretch and challenge myself, and I’m picking up new skills and experiences.”
Emma Speight
Executive Director of Assets and Growth
Emma confesses that she loves all things property and is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. Perfect qualifications for her role as North Star’s Executive Director of Assets and Growth.
A chartered surveyor by profession, she was previously with a regional development agency in the north, until it closed ten years ago. She has used her extensive experience in property, and transferable skills in economic development and commercial asset management to make the transition to North Star.
Emma is responsible for developing new homes, exploring opportunities for growth, and maintaining and investing in over 4,000 home to keep them well maintained. She also leads on Health & Safety.
Emma and her team work closely with their tenants to ensure there is as little disruption as possible. “We’re very aware that it is their home, so there is a lot of engagement and consultation.”
It is also part of Emma’s remit to make properties more sustainable, and energy-efficient. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions from homes and ensure that energy and warmth is affordable.
North Star has vast experience of building supported housing units, including drug and alcohol, women’s refuges, learning disability, young person and older person schemes. Emma is incredibly passionate about working with partners and developing more supported accommodation.
“Overall, I am so proud that through our investment we make a positive difference to people and their communities.”
Carole Richardson
Executive Director of Customers
Carole feels that she is a great example of a North Star ‘Grow Your Own’ employee. After joining in 1991 as the Supported Housing Manager, she worked her way through a range of different roles and is now part of the executive team.
Previously, she was with Middlesbrough Council for 11 years, managing their homelessness and housing advice service. Through her work, she was dealing with Housing Associations, and met Endeavour, as North Star was then.
“Over time, I came to understand that I wanted to have more influence to make change happen,” Carole says. “Of all the Housing Associations that I worked with, my values most aligned with North Star, so I waited for a post to become available, I applied and got the job.”
Her next role with North Star was in Business Development, and then Assistant Director of Housing, moving into her previous role as Executive Director of People and Culture in 2017. This involved organisational development training and HR-type support functions to ensure progressive people approaches and strategies.
Carole moved into her current role on 1st May 2024. This is 24 years to the day that she joined the organisation. Carole says that to take on this role is a huge privilege, working with staff across the business to deliver great services to customers and to ensure that customers can influence what we do, and how we do it.
Along with the other directors, she is also charged with keeping North Star strong; ensuring they; develop more homes, provide a great workplace for staff; and deliver high-quality services to their customers.
Carole says that she wants North Star to continue to grow and develop its approach to delivering flexible, accessible, effective services developed by listening to and involving its customers.
“It’s great to work here, to be so involved, to be able to influence, to be doing a job that I love, and be part of something so worthwhile.”
