The first Green council leader in the country has joined the board of housing and homelessness charity Brighton Housing Trust (BHT).
Bill Randall was also the chairman of the Brighton and Hove City Council Housing Committee until he retired at the local elections in May.Mr Randall has been involved in housing as a journalist, board member and campaigner for more than 40 years.
He was the founding editor of Inside Housing and remains a regular columnist for the magazine. He was also the chairman of Shelter’s Housing Aid Trust.
Mr Randall served as a councillor for 12 years from 2003 until May. He was the leader of the council in 2011-12 and the mayor of Brighton and Hove in 2012-13.
BHT chair Joan Mortimer said: “We are delighted to welcome Bill to the BHT board.
“There are few people with his reputation and experience in the housing world.
“I am looking forward to benefiting from the knowledge, experience and wisdom that Bill will bring. BHT is lucky to add Bill to an already incredibly strong board.
“The board is keen to maintain the focus on providing the highest quality services to our clients and tenants so that we can continue to combat homelessness and create opportunities for clients.
“Sadly, our services have never been needed more and Bill will join a board already looking to the future challenges facing Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings where we work.”
Mr Randall said: “It is a privilege to join the board of BHT which does such a remarkable job for homeless and poorly housed people in our city and elsewhere.
“Through BHT I have the opportunity to make a contribution towards meeting the twin challenges of ending homelessness and providing an adequate supply of decent and affordable homes in our city.”
The man responsible for building the first council homes in Brighton in 30 years!