Two appointments as interim managing director and director of strategy announced
Procurement specialist LHC has appointed Elaine Elkington, an experienced consultant and leader in both the public and private sectors, as its interim managing director.
The not-for-profit organisation has also added Asha Patel to its permanent senior team as strategy, innovation and growth director.
Elaine takes over from John Skivington, who has served the not-for-profit organisation for more than 17 years, from today and will remain in post until a permanent successor is appointed.
John is stepping down after making the decision to take early retirement, though will continue in an advisory capacity at LHC until next year.
Elaine’s experience includes nine years at Birmingham City Council, first as director of housing and then as strategic director; as well as four years at London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham as director of housing and regeneration, and five years with Stafford Borough Council as director of housing, community and environmental services.
She is currently non-executive director at H21 and chairs its Extra Care Committee and subsidiary business in Guernsey.
Elaine currently owns her own independent consultancy business and will be stepping in as LHC’s managing director on a part-time basis.
Elaine said: “LHC is progressing fast with major change and innovation projects, so I’m thrilled to be joining such a diverse and interesting organisation at this time.
John added: “Elaine brings a wealth of experience in change management and board-level leadership across our key stakeholder sectors – both with the public sector in terms of the clients we work with, and in the private sector from where we source suppliers. It’s great to place LHC in her hands.
Reporting directly to Elaine, Asha Patel will work with all LHC internal and external stakeholders to formulate and implement the LHC Group strategy. She will also be taking on responsibility for the group’s marketing strategy and planning.
Asha joins LHC from Accord, where she was head of property strategy and delivery. She has also worked on HS2 as a senior contracts manager, and previously held roles at Willmott Dixon, Midland Heart and Birmingham City Council, as well as several board positions.
