8 Industry News


Orbit welcomes Rutherford as new chief property officer


O


rbit has appointed Scott Rutherford as its new chief property officer. Scott joins the not-for-profit housing group


with over 25 years’ experience, latterly as property services director at Travelodge, where he was responsible for construction, maintenance, refurbishment and asset management for the brand across the UK and Spain. At Orbit, Scott will oversee asset management,


repairs, maintenance, safety, and estate management across the organisation’s 46,000+ homes. He will also be responsible for key initiatives that support the delivery of Orbit’s Everyday Excellence programme and its overall 2030 strategy ambitions. Tis will include the transformation of Orbit’s repairs service to deliver a ‘right first time’ experience for customers and supporting its decarbonisation journey by improving the energy efficiency of customers’ homes. Scott commented: “I’m excited by Orbit’s


commitment to provide the best possible experience for customers and at the heart of this is providing safe, warm, affordable homes that our customers love. I am looking forward to joining the team and working with them, as well as our customers, to drive the positive property improvements that will ensure Orbit delivers high- quality and sustainable homes.” Phil Andrew, chief executive of Orbit Group


added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Scott to Orbit as our new Chief Property Officer and member of the Executive Team. His deep understanding of property management from outside the sector and passion for driving positive change will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our services and make meaningful progress on our 2030 strategy, and strive to provide amongst the best customer experience of any housing association in the country.”


“I’m excited by Orbit’s commitment to provide the best possible experience for customers and at the heart of this is providing safe, warm, affordable homes that our


customers love.” Scott Rutherford, chief property officer at Orbit


Dagenham fines landlord Hussain


A Dagenham landlord has been fined more than £20,000 aſter repeatedly failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice issued by Barking and Dagenham Council. In 2004, Ijaz Hussain purchased the property at


92 Burnside Road, Dagenham, originally a single- family dwelling. In May 2020, the council’s Planning Enforcement Team discovered that the property had been unlawfully subdivided into two self- contained flats and rented out to tenants – without


the required planning permission. Hussain was advised of the breach and invited to either submit a retrospective planning application or restore the property to its original condition. When no action was taken, an Enforcement Notice was served in December 2021, requiring the removal of the second kitchen and internal modifications within six months. Despite appealing the notice, the Planning


Inspectorate dismissed the appeal and upheld the notice in April 2023. A follow-up inspection in January 2024 confirmed that the property remained in breach. Legal proceedings began in April 2024, and following several delays in the court process,


on 3 June 2025, Hussain appeared at Romford Magistrates’ Court, where he changed his plea to guilty. He was fined £10,000, ordered to pay a £4,000 victim surcharge, and £6,142 in legal costs to Barking and Dagenham Council, a total of £20,142, payable within three months. Councillor Syed Ghani, cabinet member for


enforcement and community safety said: “Tis case demonstrates that while we are always willing to work with residents to resolve planning issues, we will not tolerate those who ignore the law. Our Planning Enforcement Team is committed to ensuring that housing standards are upheld and that our communities are protected from unlawful development.”


Housing Management & Maintenance June/July 2025


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