L&Q appoints new finance director

L&Q has appointed Ed Farnsworth to take up the role of L&Q’s executive group director for finance from 1 January 2025. His appointment follows the announcement in October that the current group finance director, Waqar Ahmed, will be stepping down from his role in the new year. Farnsworth joined L&Q as a graduate trainee in January 2005, holding various finance roles before being appointed deputy group finance director in 2019. He is a qualified accountant with extensive experience of working in social housing finance and is committed to the positive social impact the sector has on communities and residents’ life chances. He is also co-chair of Barking Riverside Limited, a board member and chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at North London Muslim Housing Association and chair of the National Housing Statement of Recommended Practice Working Party for the sector. In his new role, Farnsworth will build on his work to forge a financial strategy based on strong commercial discipline. This will enable L&Q to continue making landmark investments in the safety, quality and sustainability of residents’ homes, while providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable groups in society, and maximising the delivery of new, affordable homes. He said: “I started my career in housing at L&Q almost two decades ago, and I’m now proud to step into this role in such a values-driven organisation. Housing associations play a vital role in supporting the communities we serve, and I’m eager to ensure we remain a resident-led organisation by developing a financial strategy that supports and strengthens our social mission.” L&Q chief executive, Fiona Fletcher-Smith said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ed to this crucial role. He’ll be stepping up at an exciting time when we’re laser-focused on delivering our corporate strategy to provide better homes, services and outcomes for residents, as well as exploring new opportunities to enable us to continue building the new homes this country so desperately needs.”