Bron Afon welcomes Craig Nowell as its new Chair of the Board. Bron Afon is a leading housing association and community mutual, which manages and maintains over 8,000 homes across Torfaen.
Craig is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years of experience delivering engineering, facilities management services, and infrastructure development within a variety of highly regulated sectors including consultancy, industry, and higher education.
He joined the University of Bristol in July 2021 as the Development Programme Director leading on their new £500m flagship Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, one of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects.
Craig has been an active member of Bron Afon’s Board for five years since joining in January 2018. During this time, he has served as an independent board member, a member of the Staffing Committee and most recently as Chair of the Service and Performance Committee. His appointment to Chair of the Board began on 31 December 2023.
Commenting on his appointment Craig Nowell said:
“I’m excited to take on this new role. My career in engineering, estates and facilities, management, and housing means I understand that nothing is more important than a safe and secure home. Bron Afon is driven by people and its values, which strongly connect with my personal values. We’re facing challenging times in a difficult economic environment and cost of living crisis, but I’m confident Bron Afon is well placed to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.”
Craig’s appointment follows outgoing Chair Andrew Lawrence who stepped down after completing a nine-year tenure on the board, the maximum he could serve in the role.
Reflecting on his nine years, Andrew Lawrence, outgoing Chair of Bron Afon, said:
“I am proud to have played a role in the growth and progress Bron Afon has made over the last nine years and I’m confident that it will continue to meet the changing needs of its customers and local communities. Craig’s expertise and knowledge make him the right candidate for me to hand the baton on to. I wish him and everyone at Bron Afon success.”
Alan Brunt, Chief Executive at Bron Afon, added:
“We’re grateful to Andrew for his dedication and leadership over the last nine years and we are thrilled to welcome Craig Nowell as our new Chair. As a valued member of our Board for five years, he shares our values and is a brilliant choice to lead us in our commitment to be a key partner in our communities, where everyone has a place they are proud to call home.”