ANDY Belton has joined Harlow Council’s maintenance company HTS as its new non-executive chair following a full, externally led, robust recruitment process. Andy replaces Michael Harrowven who retired as chair of the company. Andy started his role in October and officially took over from Michael this month. 

HTS provides services for the council such as grass cutting and landscape maintenance, street cleaning, dumped rubbish collection, council housing repairs and maintenance. 

With over 30 years’ experience in executive roles in the technology and housing sectors, Andy is a proven and effective leader. He has a strong track record of enabling organisations to transform their operations. Andy has consistently helped businesses improve and grow while delivering their operational commitments. 

As non-executive chair, Andy leads the HTS Board and joins Harlow as HTS begins a new chapter of reform and modernisation to improve services for Harlow residents. 

Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said: 

“I am delighted that Andy has started work with us and he brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in executive roles. He has an extremely impressive track record and has led on change within large scale companies. 

“Andy joins at an exciting time in the transformation of HTS. As part of the council’s priorities to fix council housing, restore pride in Harlow and improve council services, we are starting to see significant changes in the delivery of services that HTS provides which will benefit residents, council housing tenants and the town. I look forward to working closely with Andy as the council and HTS build on our partnership work to deliver the council’s priorities for the town.”

Andy Belton, the new Chair of HTS, said:

“I am excited to join the team at HTS at a really important time in the journey for both HTS and Harlow.  HTS has a vital role in supporting Harlow’s mission and I look forward to working with the HTS Board and management team in close partnership with the Leader, Chief Executive and the wider team at the Council.  In the short term, we will continue the work to improve service outcomes for residents and begin to modernise HTS so it can achieve first-class service delivery that is sustainable for all its stakeholders in the longer term.”

Joining Andy at HTS is a new interim Managing Director, David Morrissey, who replaces the former interim Alan Townshend who left HTS last month. David’s appointment is for six months while a new permanent Managing Director is recruited. David has a strong track record of operational management, innovation, leadership and people management in both public and private sector companies with a particular focus on housing management.