Honeycomb Group appoints Head of Customer and Neighbourhood to lead new neighbourhood model

We've created a new leadership role to lead on the delivery of our brand-new housing model. 

Earlier this year we revealed our new neighbourhood and customer hub model, which saw a revamp of our housing approach.

The new system includes three distinct patches across our operating area, with a dedicated customer hub in each location. It also saw the appointment of nine new Neighbourhood Officers and the expansion of Customer Advisors from our Stoke head office to community hubs across the local area. The changes are the result of customer feedback and aim to make it easier for customers to get in touch with us and receive support with anything relating to their housing journey.

Giles Parkyn

To lead on the delivery of this approach, Giles Parkyn joined Honeycomb Group on 1 August as Head of Customer and Neighbourhood. An experienced housing professional with over 17 years’ experience in the sector, Giles has held a range of similar roles, most recently at Chesterfield Borough Council.

The appointment also comes at an exciting time as we begin work on our new Corporate Plan. In July we held a Group-wide event to officially launch the five-year strategy, with Giles attending to meet new colleagues and customers.

Executive Director of Operations, Mary Walker, said: “We’re really excited to have Giles on board and welcome him to Honeycomb Group this summer. In his role, Giles will head up our housing and customer services, implementing our customer-centred strategy across the organisation.

“Rather excitedly, his new role will also oversee our new neighbourhood housing model and customer hub, which will see us streamline our housing processes and provide more opportunities for our customers to connect with us, whether that’s over a coffee or over the phone.

“It’s an exciting time to join Honeycomb Group, as we have also just launched our new five-year corporate plan, Thriving Futures, which really puts our customers at the heart of everything we do.”

Head of Customer and Neighbourhood, Giles Parkyn, added: “I’m thrilled to join Honeycomb Group. Their mission echoes my own ethos, that everyone deserves a happy home, in an environment where they can not only live, but thrive.

“It was fantastic to attend the launch of the Group’s new Corporate Plan in July. It gave me the chance to meet my new colleagues, Board members and customers, and gave me a real insight into how the new strategic vision will be delivered across the whole organisation. I’m excited to get stuck into the new role, to deliver the best possible service to customers.”