Pinnacle Group appoints former Army Sergeant Major Paul Carney to key military contract
Pinnacle Group has today announced the appointment of former Army Sergeant Major Paul Carney as Chief of Staff for Pinnacle Service Families (PSF), the company’s contract to manage 49,000 service family homes nationwide.
This strategic appointment highlights Pinnacle’s commitment to strengthening its senior leadership team and enhancing the service it provides to military families.
Paul – who has a 28-year military career – has most recently served as the Army Sergeant Major since 2021.
As the most senior non-commissioned soldier in the British Army, he has been a key advisor to the Chief of the General Staff as well as serving on operations in Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, he has held various leadership roles and has extensive experience in combat engineering, training, and strategic planning.
In his new role at PSF, Paul will oversee key priorities, ensuring the delivery of intelligent solutions, as well as enhancing operations to better serve military families.
"I am honoured to join Pinnacle and contribute to the vital work of supporting service families. My experience in the Army has given me a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by military families, and I am committed to enhancing the quality of services provided."
Paul Carney
Chief of Staff, Pinnacle Service Families
The news follows the appointment of Sarah Pittaway, a former Army Officer and senior executive, as Divisional Director for PSF six months ago.
Sarah heads up the firm’s contract with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, overseeing its 400-strong team across a National Service Centre in Liverpool and regionally across the UK.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paul to our team. His wealth of experience and dedication to service families will bring huge value to the company. We look forward to his contributions and the positive impact he will have."
Sarah Pittaway
Divisional Director, Pinnacle Service Families
Pinnacle Group welcomes Anna Le Jehan to Executive Committee
Pinnacle Group is delighted to announce that Anna Le Jehan, has joined our Executive Committee.
Anna joined Pinnacle Group as General Counsel in 2017. A qualified solicitor, she brought fifteen years of private practice experience advising on large-scale social infrastructure and regeneration projects across the UK, including the company’s flagship scheme, Oval Quarter – Myatts Field North.
Anna advises the business on a wide range of legal and compliance matters, drawing on her sector experience to support and develop integrated and innovative service delivery solutions for our communities.
“I am thrilled to welcome Anna to our Executive Committee, a pivotal step that reflects our commitment to the continued growth and development of Pinnacle. Since joining us in 2017, Anna has proven to be an invaluable member of our team, and her extensive legal expertise will undoubtedly be instrumental as we navigate the exciting opportunities that lie ahead."
Perry Lloyd
Group Chief Executive
“I am very pleased and proud to be joining the Executive Committee after twenty years of working with and for Pinnacle Group. I'm looking forward to collaborating with the senior management team and supporting the continued growth of the business."
Anna Le Jehan
General Counsel
Claire Kober: It’s time to lift the social housing stigma
For those following the passage of the assisted dying bill through parliament, there may not be any immediate parallels with the housing world.
However, whatever your views on the bill, a recurring concern is being played out in the debate. Despite the apparent safeguards in place, there persists a worry that vulnerable people may be coerced into ending their lives simply because they no longer wish to be a burden – to their families, their friends or the state.
This concept of ‘being a burden’ is deeply troubling and is evident across several sectors, including healthcare, mental health and housing. But why do people consider themselves a burden in the first place, and how does this problem play out in the housing sector?
In January, the G15 – a collective of London’s largest housing associations – published a report entitled ‘Taking the stigma out of social housing: the residents’ view’. Nearly half (45%) of social housing residents surveyed report experiencing prejudice or discrimination due to their housing status, while 43% say they have felt stigmatised when interacting with their landlord. With statistics like this, it is no wonder people begin to feel like a burden.
"It is not just about perceptions, but also about the impact this prejudice has on people’s lives."
The report delves into how stigma is formed and perpetuated, with residents highlighting the impact of politicians’ words, media depictions of social housing and social media narratives. Residents say they feel social housing tenants are portrayed as a burden to the taxpayer when, in reality, over half are in work.
The stakes are high. It is not just about perceptions, but also about the impact this prejudice has on people’s lives. It is five years since two-year-old Awaab Ishak died in Rochdale due to exposure to mould that was not addressed by his landlord. The Housing Ombudsman’s report highlighted a pattern of “othering” residents, attributing issues such as damp and mould to “cultural practices” and “lifestyle choices”, rather than addressing the underlying causes in the building.
The housing association involved, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, has since undergone a complete change of leadership, and update reports show significant progress. At a conference in January, its new director of communications spoke about the need for teams to properly represent the communities they serve.
Need for decisive leadership
We also need to consider the current state of play. The government aims to bring forward 1.5 million homes by 2030, but in our pursuit of higher housing volumes, we must not overlook the need for decisive and capable leadership to drive attitudinal change.
Comments suggesting social housing residents ‘should be grateful’, are ‘entitled’ or have caused issues themselves are still common. Language matters and, in line with the Rochdale recommendations, we must root out these attitudes and provide clear information to residents.
The affordable housing sector is at an inflection point, with more for-profit registered providers coming on board each month. These landlords reported owning over 38,500 homes in 2024, up 30% on the previous year. As well as securing stable, long-term returns, investors are looking to deliver positive social impact along with new solutions to intractable problems such as the number of people in temporary accommodation.
We are seeing new ways to create homes that challenge outdated perceptions of social housing and bring new players to the table, who also have a responsibility to challenge these depictions. For-profit registered providers, along with others in the housing sector, have an opportunity to shift perceptions by promoting a positive narrative on social housing; showcasing an accurate representation of social homes and the people who live in them.
This includes highlighting some of the excellent new homes being created. Regular registered providers, for-profit companies, housing organisations such as my own and the broader sector must work together to shift perceptions, which will bring substantial benefits to communities.
We must create an environment where all residents feel valued and respected, ensuring that social housing is seen as a vital, positive force in our communities.
Claire Kober
Managing Director (Homes), Pinnacle Group
This article was originally featured in Property Week, on 19th February 2025.
Pinnacle expands portfolio with five new sites for Bellway Homes
Pinnacle has significantly expanded its portfolio with Bellway Homes after securing five new sites under its Residential Management Services (RMS) division.
This development makes Bellway the division’s largest client, with a total of nearly 5000 homes managed for the client, across multiple sites. The five new sites provide an additional 1,463 homes to Pinnacle’s RMS portfolio.
The new sites are:
- Copperhouse Green in Dartford, Kent with 450 homes
- Eastside Quarter in Bexleyheath, London with 500 homes
- Legacy Wharf in Stratford, London with 196 homes
- Maybrey Works in Sydenham, London with 150 homes
- Eastbrook Village at Barking Riverside, with 167 homes
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Bellway Homes. Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and supporting vibrant communities at these new locations. This milestone reflects our commitment to excellence and our ability to meet the diverse needs of our clients.”
Russell O'Connor
Head of RMS, Pinnacle Group
Pinnacle’s strong community credentials and reputation played a key role in securing the new business wins. We will oversee various services including leasehold management, service charge collection, concierge services, cleaning, and grounds maintenance.
Pinnacle’s RMS division specialises in providing comprehensive residential management services to leasehold properties across the UK. Our team ensures the smooth operation of residential developments, focusing on delivering high-quality services that enhance the living experience for residents.
Pinnacle secures dual contracts with Walsall Housing Group, reaffirming presence in the Midlands
Pinnacle Group is celebrating the re-award of two significant contracts with leading housing association landlord whg, marking 18 years since the initial contract that spurred our expansion into the Midlands.
The contracts encompass both communal area cleaning across all whg’s housing blocks and office cleaning services, reinforcing Pinnacle's commitment to providing high quality neighbourhood services.
The renewed contracts – which run for three years with scope to extend for a further five – solidify Pinnacle’s growing footprint in the Midlands, where the company now manages numerous contracts, including those with prominent regional partners such as Birmingham City Council and Midland Heart.
whg is a regional housing association with 22,000 homes owned and managed across the Midlands. With a diverse portfolio ranging from high-rise and low-rise blocks to family homes and older persons accommodation, whg is committed to creating sustainable communities through investment in people and places.
These contract renewals also secure employment for 40 local individuals, further contributing to the regional economy.
“We are incredibly proud to renew our partnership with whg, a relationship that began 18 years ago with our very first contracts in the Midlands. This renewal is especially meaningful as it allows us to continue delivering high-quality housing and neighbourhood services to residents with whom we have developed long-standing relationships. We look forward to maintaining our commitment to top tier cleaning services, ensuring the wellbeing of whg’s residents and employees.”
Raaj Bharania
Facilities Management Operations Director, Pinnacle Group
“We’re pleased to renew this long-standing partnership, ensuring our communal spaces are clean and welcoming for our customers. We know that well-maintained shared spaces make a real difference to how people feel about their homes and neighbourhoods, and we remain committed to creating communities to be proud of.”
Sarah Clarke
Director of Housing and Customer Services, Walsall Housing Group
Pinnacle Group to manage over 300 homes for Pears-backed MTD Housing
Pinnacle has been appointed to manage over 300 homes for MTD Housing, a for-profit registered provider backed by the Pears family.
This significant partnership will see Pinnacle overseeing a newly acquired portfolio by MTD Housing, which is dedicated to increasing the availability of affordable rental and shared ownership homes.
This portfolio totals 327 homes across London and the Southeast, helping Pinnacle to further its mission to enhance the provision of high-quality, affordable housing across London and the Southeast and ensure safe, comfortable and vibrant communities.
The Pears family, known for their extensive experience in financing and real estate, have a long-standing commitment to social and community causes through the Pears Foundation, which contributes over £20 million annually to various initiatives.
Pinnacle’s role in this collaboration includes tenant on-boarding and management, building compliance, defect management, maintenance and void management. With a track record of managing over 74,000 homes across various tenures—including affordable housing, PRS, student accommodation, and later living homes—Pinnacle is well positioned to deliver exceptional service to both clients and residents.
The appointment by MTD Housing follows Pinnacle’s broader success in securing key contracts over the last financial year. These include taking on additional homes with L&G Affordable Homes, managing portfolios for for-profit registered providers Funding Affordable Homes, and NewArch Homes, and expanding its geographical footprint with first-time contracts in Cornwall and Brighton.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone for Pinnacle. We are excited to bring our extensive experience providing services to affordable housing communities to support MTD’s vision of creating sustainable places. Together, we will work towards enhancing residents’ experiences and contributing positively to the local communities.”
Claire Kober
Managing Director - Homes for Pinnacle Group
Pinnacle Group appoints former Army officer and Royal aide to key leadership role on MOD contract
Pinnacle Group has today announced the appointment of former Army officer Sarah Pittaway as the new Divisional Director for Pinnacle Service Families, one of the company’s largest contracts. It comes as Pinnacle Group builds on a series of contract wins in the past few months and looks to further strengthen its leadership team.
Sarah Pittaway said she was “committed to applying my experience to improve the quality of services we provide.”
Currently Deputy Chief Executive of the Union Jack Club – an HM Armed Forces members’ club – Sarah has a wealth of leadership expertise, including an early career as a Commissioned Army Officer.
As part of Sarah’s military career, she trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was deployed on multiple overseas engagements and operations, including Afghanistan, Cyprus, and Oman, as well as inter-military exchanges in France and Italy in support of NATO diplomatic relationships.
Her extensive career in senior executive roles includes Managing Director at fine dining and events caterer, Chester Boyd, Assistant Private Secretary in The Royal Household, and Senior Manager for Enterprise Risk at EY.
Joining Pinnacle in October, Sarah will head up the firm’s contract with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, managing 49,000 military family homes nationwide. She will oversee its 440-strong team across the National Service Centre in Liverpool and regionally throughout the UK.
“Sarah brings a unique and impressive blend of military and commercial experience, making her uniquely qualified to enhance the quality of services we provide. This new post has been created to drive further improvements for our military families. I look forward to welcoming her to the team and leveraging her expertise to support the families we serve.”
Claire Kober
Managing Director - Homes for Pinnacle Group
“I am thrilled to join Pinnacle Service Families as it will allow me to contribute to the vital work of supporting Service families. Whilst serving in the Army, and subsequently, I have been able to see first-hand the unique challenges faced by the military families community, and I am committed to applying my experience to improve the quality of services we provide.”
Sarah Pittaway
Divisional Director for Pinnacle Service Families
Pinnacle Group Secures Major Contract with HOCHTIEF to Manage Over 1,000 New Student Rooms
Pinnacle Group has been selected as a key delivery partner for Staffordshire University’s new purpose-built student accommodation village at its Stoke-on-Trent campus.
This landmark project, which received planning permission in March, will feature approximately 700 new student rooms in blocks and townhouses centred around a vibrant social hub. The village is set for completion in 2026.
Under the 50-year contract with German construction giant HOCHTIEF, Pinnacle will deliver a comprehensive range of services to ensure the facilities are well-managed and foster a community that students are excited to call home.
HOCHTIEF has formed a consortium – Staffordshire Campus Living – with Staffordshire University and Plenary to deliver the project, with Willmott Dixon constructing the new buildings. This includes the refurbishment of 300 existing en-suite rooms, which will also be managed by Pinnacle.
Pinnacle Group Chief Executive Perry Lloyd said: “We have a long track record of successfully managing and maintaining places where people live, learn, work, and play. We are delighted our unique offering has led to a new partnership with HOCHTIEF. With our expertise and track record of service delivery, we look forward to managing a home away from home for so many Staffordshire University students.”
Sally McGill, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Lead for Sustainability at Staffordshire University, added: “The new Student Village is a significant step forward in enhancing our campus infrastructure. This development not only addresses the growing demand for high-quality student accommodation but also aligns with our sustainability goals. The partnership with Pinnacle and HOCHTIEF will help us create a vibrant and sustainable living environment that supports our students’ academic and personal growth.”
This contract is the latest in a series of new business wins for Pinnacle, which recently announced partnerships with Kew Green Hotels, Funding Affordable Homes (FAH), and an expanded role with Legal & General Affordable Homes (LGAH), becoming its leading managing agent.
Pinnacle expands affordable homes contract – becoming Legal & General Affordable Homes’ leading managing agent
Pinnacle Group is set to more than double the number of homes it manages on behalf of Legal & General Affordable Homes (LGAH) as it becomes the provider’s leading managing agent.
In recent weeks, the housing services provider has taken on management services for an additional 900 homes – a mix of affordable rented and shared ownership – spread across the Southwest and Midlands, including The Berries in Paignton, Devon and Cross Trees Park in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire.
Now, a further 40 shared ownership homes at a variety of locations across England will be managed by Pinnacle after we signed yet another agreement with LGAH.
In total, Pinnacle will now be responsible for managing around 1800 homes for LGAH, with a pipeline of new properties expanding the portfolio to at least 2600 homes over the next few years.
“Having begun our relationship with LGAH back in 2019, we’re thrilled our reputation for providing market-leading housing services has resulted in us becoming their leading managing agent. With our teams already delivering on the ground for the first tranche of new homes, we now look forward to serving even more communities across the country as the additional homes come under our management.”
Claire Kober
Managing Director, Homes at Pinnacle Group
Pinnacle’s role will include tenant on-boarding and management, building compliance, defect management, maintenance and void management.
Pinnacle will also work in close collaboration with LGAH in advance of the handover stage, including liaising with relevant local authorities on nominations agreements and the production of welcome packs and home user guides for prospective tenants.
Shaun Holdcroft, Operations Director, Legal & General Affordable Homes, said: “Pinnacle is a trusted partner of Legal & General Affordable Homes, and we are proud to have formed a robust and long term relationship over the past five years. We look forward to working with the Pinnacle team as we continue to serve our current and future residents by providing high quality, affordable housing right across the country. Our aim is to better people’s lives and ensure that everyone has access to our vision of a sustainable and affordable home.”
As we approach our 30th anniversary, Pinnacle continues to see considerable growth, having recently announced a new instruction with Funding Affordable Homes as well as its first Brighton-based contract.
Pinnacle Group wins first Brighton contract to manage hotel apartments
Pinnacle Group has won its first Brighton-based contract to provide management services to residential apartments above an historic seafront hotel.
Kew Green Hotels, which owns and manages over 55 hotels across the world, has selected Pinnacle to manage sixty-four leasehold apartments in the building, which overlooks Brighton’s Grand Pier.
Kew Green Hotels’ portfolio covers several leading global brands including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton and Marriott International, alongside managing several independent hotels and operating over 25 Holiday Inns under franchise across Europe.
The former Bedford Hotel, now Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront, is an iconic landmark in the city, dating back to 1829. It counted Charles Dickens among its historic guests, though the current iteration of the building opened in 1967. Today, eleven floors of the hotel are used for luxury residential apartments.
"As we celebrate our thirtieth anniversary this year, we’re delighted to be expanding into Brighton, especially with such an iconic building.
This new contract represents yet another geographical expansion of our market-leading services, enabling us to deliver for local leaseholders while also exploring further opportunities in the region.
We look forward to working with our partner, Kew Green Hotels, to maintain high quality management standards and create a first-rate customer experience for the residents.”
Alex Elsy
Director of Assets and Residential Management, Pinnacle Group
Alongside residential management of the apartments, which begins this week, Pinnacle will also work in close collaboration with the hotel team on shared building services.
This instruction is another example of Pinnacle’s vast experience in forging partnerships to deliver comprehensive community solutions. It will see the organisation deploy its unique expertise to respond effectively to client and customer requirements, particularly in complex residential developments.
Chris Dexter, CEO of Kew Green Hotels said, “We look forward to working with the team at Pinnacle, supporting them in delivering exceptional services to residents at Bedford Towers, complemented by the operational excellence delivered by our team at the Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront. At Kew Green Hotels, we set ourselves apart by combining years of experience with innovative ideas to deliver outstanding hotel services, delivering exceptional returns for hotel owners and partners throughout our portfolio of independent hotels through to global brands.”
Shane Willmoth, Director of Property at Kew Green Hotels added, "We are pleased to be working with the team at Pinnacle, who demonstrate strong experience in the UK residential services sector with a robust infrastructure and employee community.”
Pinnacle Group secures new contract with Funding Affordable Homes
Pinnacle Group has been appointed by Funding Affordable Homes Housing Association (FAHHA), a for-profit Registered Provider and Homes England investment partner, to provide management services at a new-build home counties housing scheme.
Sterling Gardens, a development of 119 apartments, including 27 for social rent, 30 shared ownership and 62 for affordable rent, is built on brownfield land in Newbury.
Pinnacle will act as managing agent at the scheme, conducting a full range of tenancy and estate management. The contract marks a new relationship for Pinnacle, which currently provides housing management services across a portfolio of over 70,000 properties nationwide.
As it approaches its 30th anniversary, the Group continues to see considerable growth, with plans to announce further contract wins in the coming weeks.
Laura Newey, Head of Partnerships - Homes, Pinnacle Group, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by FAHHA as their housing manager of choice on this exciting new scheme in Newbury.
‘Drawing on our experience of place-making, and place-keeping new communities on new build developments, we look forward to working with FAHHA to bring our market-leading services to the residents of Sterling Gardens.”
Paul Munday, CEO of FAHHA, said “FAHHA are hoping this project will be the start of a long-term relationship for the delivery of housing services by Pinnacle. Funding Affordable Homes (FAH), whose investment advisor is Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (EdR REIM), invested institutional capital alongside grant from Homes England to deliver 119 affordable homes from what was to be an entirely private sale development. The scheme demonstrates FAH’s commitment to providing tangible social benefit from its capital”.
Property Management 50 Awards Success for Leading Industry Influencer at Pinnacle Group
Rochelle Menville, Head of Operations (Homes) has been awarded a top spot in the 2023 Property Management 50 awards for leading the way in the property industry and being recognised as a top Influencer.
Rochelle is a CIH qualified Housing professional with over 18 years’ experience across social housing, leasehold and commercial management.
Rochelle said “It’s lovely to be nominated and be a Winner, and always nice to recognised for the work we do!”
Director of Assets and Residential, Alex Elsy, commented “I am so pleased that Rochelle that been recognised as an influencer in the 2023 PM50 Awards. It is well deserved recognition for all that she does both for Pinnacle Group and our clients, customers and the wider community.”
Congratulations to Rochelle and all of the other worthy winners. You can view the full list of winners here: 2023 Property Management 50 Winners
