Lesley Burrows, Chair of The Calico Group Board, is stepping down after 9 years in the role.
Lesley is a popular and highly respected leader in the Burnley community. Born and raised on a Calico Homes housing estate, her first-hand experiences have been invaluable. This has brought genuine relatability, insight and compassion to Lesley’s work and shaped the way the Group works with tenants.
After working with the Group in other roles since 2009, Lesley went on to became Chair of Calico Homes and subsequently, Chair of The Calico Group when the company was restructured in 2011.
During this time, Lesley has led in implementing many significant and impactful changes, helping to make a positive difference to people’s lives and becoming a role model to many.
Outside of the Group, Lesley is also involved in several community projects. She is extremely pro-active and passionate about raising the aspirations of young people, showing them that anything is possible by building resilience and employability skills while providing mentoring and guidance.
Lesley’s determination to take on challenges and be creative when problem solving has contributed positively towards many award-winning Group schemes. This includes developing services which provide life-changing support for people living with homelessness and domestic abuse, along with new build developments designed to improve the local area and provide much-needed affordable homes.
Lesley said: “I have had the privilege to serve as a Chair of The Calico Group for 9 years and have seen the Group overcome significant challenges, without compromising on our values, and at the same time strengthening our business to increase the social impact for our customers.
“Providing quality homes and changing lives is in our DNA. Growing up on one of our estates, I’m extremely proud to have been part of a Group that is dedicated to making a difference in the housing sector.”
Anthony Duerden, Chief Executive of The Calico Group said: “We don’t often talk about our board members, but they play a really important role. Lesley Burrows is proactive, sincere and has always been incredibly supportive of the work we do right across the Group.
“Her support and encouragement has enabled the Group to be successful over an extended period, inspiring us individually and as a collective, to be the best that we can be. I wish Lesley all the best for her future and thank her wholeheartedly for her lasting contribution to the Group.”
A successor to Lesley was appointed earlier this year and will be announced shortly.
