Major Déise charity announces new CEO
Respond, the housing charity, has announced the appointment of Aoife Watters as just the third Chief Executive Officer since it was founded in the Déise in 1982.
A major Waterford-based approved housing body has announced the appointment of a new CEO.
Respond, the housing charity, has announced the appointment of Aoife Watters as just the third Chief Executive Officer since it was founded in the Déise in 1982.
Ms Watters said she felt "honoured” to join the Waterford-based charity and labelled it an “exceptional organisation”.
“Respond’s values and guiding principles are very much aligned with my own. I have long admired Respond’s reputation for delivering high quality homes and embedding them in communities where people can build their lives,” she said.
Ahead of taking over the charity in April, Ms Watters hailed the charity’s “lasting impact around Ireland” alongside its “strong track record of growth, innovation and supporting communities.”
"Together, we will continue Respond’s vital work, delivering homes, supporting communities and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
The housing charity was founded in Waterford by the Franciscan Fr Pat Cogan in 1982.
It was founded due to concern around the long waiting lists for social houses at the time which left hundreds of people in the Déise without housing.
Originally from Cork, Fr Cogan remained involved as CEO and a director until 2016.
Respond has retained its headquarters in Waterford City while expanding its operations across the country.
In the interim it has become the largest construction-led approved housing body in the country with more than 7,700 social and cost-rental housing units across the country.
The charity operates nearly 550 housing units in Waterford.
The outgoing CEO, Declan Dunne, who took over the running of the charity following the retirement of Waterford’s Fr Pat Cogan in 2016 said: "It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of Respond for the past nine years.”
“Working together with the skilled and expert teams, we have achieved so much, growing the organisation to support over 18,000 tenants and delivering high quality homes and services across the country," he said.
“I am delighted to welcome Aoife Watters as my successor," he added.
Mr Dunne went on to comment: "I am confident that her leadership and drive will guide Respond to even greater success, ensuring the organisation continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve."
