David Avery to step down as Chair of Sparrow Shared Ownership

David Avery, Chair of the Sparrow Shared Ownership (SSO) Board, has announced that he will step down in January 2027.

David joined Sparrow as founding Chair in August 2024 when the organisation was formed. Under his leadership, the Board oversaw Sparrow’s transition to a fully in-house operation and its first regulatory judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing – achieving the highest grades of G1* for governance, V1* for financial viability, and C1* for consumer standards. Today, SSO partners with around 3,000 shared owners across England.

David said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Sparrow’s first Chair. In just two years, Sparrow has grown from an idea into a dedicated team delivering for thousands of shared owners across England. Achieving the highest regulatory ratings is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Board and the Sparrow team, and I am confident they will continue to build on those strong foundations in the years ahead."

Neil Morrison, Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank David for his commitment, leadership and service. The Committee has now begun the process of identifying a successor and is committed to appointing a Chair who will build on Sparrow's achievements and support the organisation through its next chapter.”

David will remain Chair of SSO until January 2027, providing continuity while supporting the appointment of his successor. He will continue to contribute his experience and expertise across the wider Sparrow Group, supporting its governance and future growth.

Andrew Rose, Chair of Sparrow Housing Group, SSO’s parent company, said: "David has made a significant contribution to Sparrow during a formative period in its development. The strong governance, high standards and customer focus established under his chairmanship have helped position the organisation for long-term success. We are pleased that the wider Group will continue to benefit from his experience and expertise as we build on Sparrow's achievements.”