Directorate change

Hyde Group

17 April 2026

 

RNS

Appointment of Hyde Group Chief Financial Officer

The Hyde Group, a leading provider of housing, neighbourhood, property and community services, owning or managing around 130,000 homes across the UK, is pleased to confirm the appointment of Sharon Pearce as its Chief Financial Officer.

Sharon takes on the newly created role with immediate effect and will join the Hyde Group Board. She has a rich career in housing, with over 30 years' experience in housing and finance. Earlier in her 19-year career at Hyde, Sharon was the Financial Director to the Group, before most recently serving as Commercial Director.

Sharon's appointment will support Hyde's existing strategic plan, bringing her experience and leadership to contribute to achieving the organisation's ambition to be the best housing, property and community services provider in the UK.

The appointment follows the decision of Rod Holdsworth, Hyde's Chief Financial and Resources Officer, to step down after six successful years with Hyde. Rod joined Hyde in 2019 and has played a leading role in guiding the finances of the Group through a period of significant transformation and growth. Throughout this period Rod has led strong financial delivery aligned with Hyde's long-term strategic plans, enabling the Group to invest with confidence in our customers and homes, and deliver more value for money. Rod has successfully maintained Hyde's investment grade credit rating and leaves the Hyde Group in a strong financial position with a clear roadmap for continued growth and success.

Whilst Rod will be handing over to Sharon with immediate effect, he will remain an adviser to the Group CEO and the Board until June.

Andy Hulme, Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I'm thrilled Sharon will be taking on the Chief Financial Officer role. She brings a wealth of experience and will play a key role in the next phase of our growth in line with our strategic plan.

"Rod has made a valued contribution to Hyde and has been a great business partner to me over the last four years. His financial leadership, discipline and insight have been instrumental in strengthening the Group and enabling our growth, most notably through the Pinnacle Group and THCH acquisitions. Rod leaves Hyde in a very strong position and I would like to personally thank him for his financial leadership, vision and commitment to our purpose. We wish him every success in the next chapter of his career."

Rod Holdsworth said:

"It has been a real privilege to be part of Hyde's journey and to work with Andy in recent years. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, particularly navigating a turbulent period for the sector while delivering strong growth, financial resilience and a successful transformation of the Group. Hyde is in a strong financial position, with a clear strategy and a talented leadership team, and I leave confident in its continued success."

Sharon Pearce, Hyde Group Chief Financial Officer, said:

"I'm honoured to have been appointed as CFO at such an exciting time for the Group. Hyde has been at the forefront of social housing in London and the South East for nearly sixty years.  We now operate nationally, but serve locally, and our strategy is clear as we leverage our unique end to end offer to support communities across the UK."

The Hyde Group's strong financial position is endorsed by external credit rating agencies, with Fitch giving an A rating with a stable outlook (October 2025), and S&P Global giving an A- rating, with a stable outlook (November 2025).

The Regulator of Social Housing awarded Hyde the highest governance (G1) and consumer (C1) gradings, and reconfirmed Hyde as compliant under the viability standard (V2), in its latest regulatory judgement (March 2026).

In the Group's financial results for the year ending 31 March 2025, Group turnover increased by 33%, the Group EBITDA increased by 11%, and net debt remained below budget with liquidity headroom maintained at £775m.

 

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