Peaks & Plains appoints new Chair of the Board
Introducing Steve, Chair of the Board
Peaks & Plains Housing Trust has appointed Steve Hughes as its new Chair, succeeding Jane McCall, who is stepping down at the end of her six-year tenure. Steve joined the Board in December 2025 and will formally take up the role of Chair in May 2026. Steve brings senior leadership and non-executive experience across housing, local government and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. He is Executive Director of Client & Member Services at Citizens Advice, leading its largest directorate and strengthening services, digital capability and member support across England, Wales and the Channel Islands. Previously, he held senior roles in local government, including Assistant Chief Executive at Oldham Council, and has served Citizens Advice nationally and locally. He is also a Non-Executive Director at South Lakes Housing and an advocate for people living with HIV.
Commenting on his appointment, Steve said:
“I am very much looking forward to taking on the role of Chair at Peaks and Plains and am excited about what lies ahead..."
As Chair, my focus will be clear: we exist for our customers, and their voices must shape our decisions. The Board will support and challenge the Executive to ensure strong performance, long‑term sustainability and continuous improvement. This includes widening representation around the Board table and supporting the next generation of sector leaders, so that our decisions genuinely reflect the communities we serve
Jane said of her time as Chair:
“It has been a real privilege to serve as Chair of Peaks & Plains over the past six years. During that time, the organisation has navigated significant change, and I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made together in strengthening our governance, customer voice and long‑term resilience.
...I would like to thank Board members, all the staff and the executive team for their commitment, integrity and unwavering focus on our purpose throughout my tenure. It has been a pleasure to work alongside such dedicated people. I am delighted that Steve will be taking on the role of Chair. His values, experience and commitment to social purpose make him exceptionally well suited to lead the Board into its next chapter.”
Peaks & Plains is also in the process of appointing a number of new Board members as others reach the end of their term of office over the next few months.
