THE former head of government regeneration agency English Partnerships has been appointed as chairman of the Gentoo group.

John Walker, who was already an independent member of the social housing provider’s board, was offered the job after a review of Gentoo’s governance arrangements revealed a number of board members were reaching the end of their term of office.

Gentoo chief executive Peter Walls said: “We’re delighted John has agreed to chair Gentoo’s group board, he will reinforce our strategic efforts. In this tough climate we are aspiring to challenge existing norms and work innovatively to ensure we have a positive effect on people’s art of living.”

Walker retired as chief executive of English Partnerships in 2008. Prior to that, he worked as a regeneration and property development specialist with Stoy Hayward Consulting and held senior appointments with Teesside Development Corporation, Northumbria Police and a number of local authorities in the North East.

He said: “Gentoo is a strong North East business with an admirable reputation for supporting the region and is well placed to tackle the challenges of the current environment. ”

Walker’s directorships have included Priority Sites Limited, English Cities Fund, the Land Restoration Trust, Network Space and Blueprint.

As the representative of English Partnerships he sat on the board of five urban regeneration companies.

And as member of the Investment Board of the Department for Communities and Local Government, he was also appointed as a board member of the English Heritage Audit Committee in June 2008 and is now Commissioner.

He takes over the chairmanship from Dave Crawford, who will be standing down at the group’s annual general meeting today.