Anchor's new chief executive Sarah Jones 'takes baton' as Jane Ashcroft steps down

Anchor Hanover Group, the not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people in England, has appointed Sarah Jones as its chief executive, following Jane Ashcroft’s decision to step down from the role.

Anchor’s chief financial officer Sarah Jones will take over as chief executive from 1 August, and Jane Ashcroft says it is “the right time to move on”.

Jane Ashcroft has spent 12 years as chief executive of Anchor and has held senior posts at the care organisation for over 20 years.

Ms Ashcroft was made a CBE in 2013 for services to older people. Her care sector roles include her work as chair of Care England, founding director and vice chair of ARCO and vice chair of the National Housing Federation.

'My decision was not an easy one'

Jane Ashcroft said: “It has been an enormous honour to lead Anchor and my decision was not an easy one.

“We’re focussed on creating more and better homes where people can love living in later life. In recent years we have invested in our existing properties, grown through merger and acquisitions, issued our first sustainability bond and built a significant pipeline for further developments.

“Anchor has always innovated to ensure services meet the changing needs of older people and I am sure that will continue to be the case.

“I am particularly proud of how colleagues across the organisation have supported residents through challenges and supported them to love living in later life. The achievements of the past few years mean I feel the time is right for me to move on.

“I am looking forward to building a non-executive portfolio as the next stage of my career.”

Delighted to be 'taking up baton' from Jane

Sarah Jones is Anchor’s chief financial officer and has been a member of the Anchor Board since April 2020. She joined Anchor as finance director in 2014 from office supplies distributors Spicers Ltd, where she was its chief financial officer.

Ms Jones is a chartered management accountant and has been the finance director in UK & Republic of Ireland at Carpetright Plc. She has also held senior roles at HMV and The Burton Group/Arcadia.

Sarah Jones said: “I am delighted to be taking up the baton from Jane and look forward to maintaining Anchor’s focus on providing more and better homes.

“I am eager to ensure the organisation continues to evolve to meet the needs and expectations of the older people of today and tomorrow and I also want to build on our influence in this socially vital debate with Government and other stakeholders.”

Anchor chairman Christopher Kemball said: “Jane has been a truly outstanding leader for the organisation, particularly during the Covid pandemic.

“We conducted a thorough and comprehensive search for Jane’s successor using external consultants and are delighted that Sarah will be taking over as chief executive."

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