Members of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) have chosen Aileen Evans as the organisation’s next vice president.

Aileen, the chief executive of Grand Union Housing Group, received 41% of the 1,654 votes cast during the closely-fought election, which closed on Wednesday 15 August. Fellow candidates Lindsey Williams and Darshan Singh Matharoo received 34% and 25% respectively.

Aileen will replace current vice president Jim Strang when he steps up to the role of president in September.

She said: “I’m both proud and humbled that CIH members have elected me as their next vice president and I’d like to pay tribute to Lindsey and Darshan, two outstanding candidates, for making this a contest that shone a light on the fantastic work of our sector.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with Jim Strang to highlight the work CIH does, both in equipping we who work in housing with the skills and knowledge to thrive in our brilliant profession and also to highlight the invaluable contribution CIH makes in informing housing policy across the UK.”

Lindsey Williams, chief executive of Futures Housing Group, said: “Congratulations to Aileen. She will make a great vice-president and continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the sector – especially in challenging perceptions of social housing and our customers, telling our story better, promoting housing as the vibrant, exciting career it is and championing the outstanding work our members do every single day.”

CIH chief executive, Terrie Alafat, said: “We’re delighted to announce that Aileen will be the next vice president of the Chartered Institute of Housing. I know that she will be a great successor to Jim and together they will make a fantastic team.

“I was really impressed by all three candidates and their passion and enthusiasm for CIH. Darshan and Lindsey should be extremely proud of the effort they put into their campaigns.

“I’d like to thank all of the CIH members who took the time to vote – we look forward to working with Aileen when she becomes vice president next month.”