FENLAND: Its goodbye from Pauline as she swops Wisbech for Wimbledon for new challenge

RODDONS managing director Pauline Ford is swopping Fenland for the leafy glades of Wimbledon to become the new �70,000 boss of a much larger housing association. Ms Ford, who has helped mastermind the transfer of Fenland Council s 4,000 homes to Roddons

RODDONS' managing director Pauline Ford is swopping Fenland for the leafy glades of Wimbledon to become the new �70,000 boss of a much larger housing association.

Ms Ford, who has helped mastermind the transfer of Fenland Council's 4,000 homes to Roddons Housing Association, will leave over the summer.

She will, however, stay with Roddons' parent organisation Circle Anglia, as she moves to become managing director of Merton Priory Homes, based in Wimbledon, Morden and Mitcham.

In her new role she will be responsible for 6,300 tenanted and 2,550 leasehold properties which will be transferred to the new housing association next March from Merton Council.

In a recent external assessment by the Housing Quality Network, assessors concluded that Roddons displays the maturity of an organisation that is 4/5 years old, is making a real difference in the way it involves residents in shaping services and is working very hard to improve services with a sound degree of success.

"It has been a wonderful experience to support staff and residents to build the new organisation and set the direction for its future," she said.

"Roddons has a committed board and staff team who are united in the goal of delivering the promises made at the time of transfer. For me the most rewarding aspect has been how positive many residents have been over the benefits of transfer."

Roddons chair Brenda Reynolds said: "It has been fantastic to work with Pauline over the past couple of years - we work very closely together in every aspect of running Roddons and her passion and energy have been incredible.

"She has built up a strong team and we have achieved a lot in such a small space of time.