The National Housing Federation has today nominated professor of housing and social policy at Heriot-Watt University, Suzanne Fitzpatrick, as one of two new members to its board as its seeks to replace two existing members who are stepping down.

An academic with a social policy focus, Suzanne is also a member of Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Anti-Poverty Task Group.

Suzanne completed her PhD on youth homelessness at the University of Glasgow in 1998. She subsequently held a number of posts in the Department of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, including ESRC Research Fellow in Housing and Social Exclusion and, latterly, Lecturer in Housing and Social Policy.

The Federation said Suzanne has close ties with housing academia and will bring a strong analytical dimension to board debates.

Prominent Manchester councillor Sean Arnstee will join Suzanne in being formally proposed to take on the positions in the autumn. This will take place after it is voted on at the Federation’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 21st September.

Sean and Suzanne will take the places of Ashwin Kumar and Peter Williams who are stepping down from the Board.

Diana Warwick, chief executive of the National Housing Federation said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sean and Suzanne to the Federation’s board and look forward to working with them. Sean’s local Government and devolution experience and Suzanne’s academic rigour and analysis will be hugely useful in setting the Federation’s future direction.

“I would also like to thank Ashwin and Peter for their service and wish them the best for the future. They have played a valuable part in ensuring good governance – vital to all of us in the sector – is at the core of the Federation’s work.”