Wairarapa-based social housing provider and hospitality business operator Trust House has announced the appointment of John Prendergast as its new chief executive.
Prendergast – general manager of the Archdiocese of Wellington, a position he’s held for just over three years – was previously chief executive for 20 months of Presbyterian Support Southland, a charitable trust that provides a range of health and social services.
Before that he spent almost two decades as chief executive of Community Trust South, one of the largest regionally-based, community-owned philanthropic and investment trusts.
In a press release announcing Prendergast’s appointment, Trust House Board of Directors chair Mena Antonio is quoted as saying, “We are very excited to have secured someone of John’s capability and experience.
“His impressive skill set makes him a fantastic fit for Trust House, particularly as the organisation continues to follow a direction that puts more focus on community housing.”
For his part, Prendergast is quoted as saying, “I know and understand community very well, and the wonderful role a community organisation such as Trust House Ltd can play working alongside and with communities to empower them.”
When Prendergast starts the role on July 10, he will be Trust House’s third chief executive this year.
Charles Kaka suddenly resigned from the role in February after a two-and-a-half-year stint in the position, following a critical public response to the trust’s announcement that it would be hiking its tenants’ rents by an average of 60 per cent from April 1 in order to partially finance its housing improvement plan, which is costed at $50 million.
Graeme Bell, who is currently holding the fort, was appointed in March as an interim chief executive.
