Lambeth Living Director of Property Services, David Thompson, resigns from ALMO post

Lambeth Living’s Director of Property Services has unexpectedly quit his position with immediate effect. David Thompson resigned from his position on the ALMO Senior Management Team at the end of last year which has been confirmed to WERA and other community groups by Chief Executive, Cathy Deplessis.

Mr Thompson who had been the permanent director overseeing housing property issues in the borough such as repairs and maintenance, as well as decent homes for eighteen months, suddenly departed the ALMO for reasons undisclosed after a previous three years as interim director for Lambeth Living when it was introduced by Lambeth council.

A statement released by Mrs Deplessis read “I am writing to tell you that David Thompson, Director of Property Services for 18 months and before that as an interim for three years, has left Lambeth Living.  I would like to thank David for the diligence and passion that marked his important contribution to the organisation during Lambeth Living’s formative years.”

She added “As a result of David’s work, council homes are now warmer and safer.  We expect significant improvement in the repairs and maintenance service as a result of David’s work to introduce new long term contracts which are designed to improve the quality and value for money of the service to residents.”

David Thompson, Ex-Director of Property Services

No comment has been made as to why the charismatic David Thompson resigned with immediate effect though it not believed to be anything untoward.  His sudden departure does follow a major restructuring of Lambeth Living in which up to 70 front line staff are being made redundant as previously revealed by Cathy Deplessis in our wera.org.uk special feature last month.

In a further statement received from Mrs Deplessis it has been confirmed that Paul Munday who is said to have a wealth of experience in public and private housing will be taking up the post part time while other aspects of the role are shared amongst other senior management at Lambeth Living. The statement revealed “I am pleased to confirm that Paul Munday has joined Lambeth Living to carry out some of the key tasks required of the role of the Director of Property Services.

The statement goes on to add “Paul has a wealth of experience and for the past 20 years has worked in social housing in the public and private sectors, for London boroughs and Housing Associations. Most recently Paul has worked for Homes for Haringey and Newham Homes where he was responsible for the modernising of the in-house maintenance company and Direct Labour Organisations (DLOs). Paul’s specialism is partnering contracts – particularly decent homes and maintenance and he is well placed to assist with the mobilisation of new long term maintenance and estate services contracts. “

Paul Munday, Interim Director of Property Services

Mr Munday will initially only work two days a week and will later increase the time spent sorting out Lambeth Living’s property services division.

WERA’s Chair Dave McEvoy, paid tribute to the Mr Thompson following his departure “We at WERA always found David to be a charming charismatic man who brought about many changes, he is a huge loss to Lambeth living and in fact to the borough and on behalf of WERA would like to thank him for his time at Lambeth and for working with us to achieve such things as the new windows and doors and wish him the very best for the future.”

David Thompson worked very closely with WERA officers to ensure the major works were carried out after he was summoned by the association to be challenged as to why Weir Estate had initially missed off the LHC5 works programme which was completed last year and David Thompson later paid a visit to Weir Estate to see the transformation as a result of the extensive works.

Paul Munday is now in post and can contacted through the call centre on 0207 926 6000.