WEST Devon Homes Ltd has announced the appointment of Mrs Liz Steele as its new chairman.

Mrs Steele, a tenant of the company, has been the chair of the West Devon Homes tenant panel since 2004 and became a tenant trustee of the board of management in August 2005.

She has a range of business experience and is an active member of her community.

The way in which West Devon Homes consults and involves its tenants has developed with the support and guidance of Mrs Steele who, with the tenant panel and the staff, is currently working to introduce tenant inspection to West Devon Homes.

Mrs Steele said: 'I believe that involving tenants in decisions that affect their lives makes the business of delivering housing services more effective.

'Social housing is a great thing and now that the opinions of tenants are listened to, they have many doors open to voice them.

'We support the introduction of the Tenant Services Authority and the National Tenants' Voice and look forward to working with both organisations.'

West Devon Homes' chief executive Jean Peters said: 'We are delighted to have our first tenant chairman of the company and look forward to evolving the good working relationship which we have established with our tenants.'