PlaceShapers’ new director

PlaceShapers is delighted to announce Rachael Orr will be its new Director.

Rachael is currently Head of UK Programmes at Oxfam, delivering hard hitting campaigns and an advocacy agenda tackling poverty and inequality across the UK as well as programme delivery for Oxfam's UK poverty work.

Rachael was previously Campaigns Manager for Shelter.

PlaceShapers chair Sinéad Butters said: “We had some outstanding candidates and Rachael’s passion, knowledge and awareness of our work really stood out.

“Rachael understands the importance of our work and, as an experienced campaigner, the challenges that we face.

“She will join shortly after we launch our third national campaign We Care which shows that scale and impact of care given by housing associations.

“Rachael will succeed Lucy Ferman who, after 10 years of supporting PlaceShapers, is retiring at the end of June. Lucy has been outstanding and we as a Board are excited that Rachael will build on that legacy.”

Rachael was appointed after interviews carried out by a panel made up of Chiefs Executives from the PlaceShapers board.

Rachael Orr said: “I am really excited to be joining PlaceShapers. I can't remember a time when housing has been higher on the political agenda and I can't wait to work with PlaceShapers members to deliver some real, lasting change.”