Case study: Chief Executive Officer recruitment | Oasis Community Housing

Oasis Community Housing is a homelessness charity rooted in Christian values, working across the North East of England and London. With a £4.5m turnover and over 100 staff, the charity delivers supported housing, homelessness prevention, and a range of trauma-informed services. As part of the wider Oasis family, it contributes to a shared vision of building stronger communities where everyone can thrive and reach their potential.

The Context

The charity required a new Chief Executive following a period of interim leadership after the sudden departure of the previous postholder. This was a pivotal point: Oasis Community Housing had grown in both scope and influence, but the Board needed a permanent leader to provide stability, direction, and renewed momentum. The ideal candidate would combine faith-driven leadership with credibility in housing or community services, as well as the ability to inspire staff, strengthen partnerships, and represent the charity nationally.

The Brief

Peridot Partners was engaged to deliver a targeted search for an experienced leader who could bring both vision and practical delivery. Candidates needed a track record of strategic growth, governance knowledge, and the capacity to manage a complex, multi-million-pound charity. We conducted a regional search with particular attention to leaders with roots in the North East, ensuring both local credibility and a strong cultural fit. Our campaign highlighted Oasis’s trauma-informed and person-centred approach, ensuring candidates were motivated by the mission as well as the leadership challenge.

The Outcome

The process generated eight applications, from which three candidates were interviewed, and two progressed to the final panel. Both were highly credible: one brought three decades of leadership across homelessness and recovery services, while the other had built and scaled a community charity into a nationally recognised organisation with significant health and housing integration.

Final-stage candidates took part in a comprehensive assessment day, meeting a wide range of stakeholders across the charity. This included project visits, a group interview with Experts by Experience, focused conversations on ethos and values, and discussions with the executive team. Candidates also had the opportunity to meet staff informally over lunch before a formal panel interview with trustees and senior leaders. The structure ensured a fair and transparent process, allowing the panel to assess not only leadership capability but also cultural fit, relational skills, and alignment with the charity’s mission.

The appointed candidate demonstrated their proven record of growth, governance expertise, and ability to influence nationally while remaining rooted in local communities. Their appointment brings fresh perspective, financial acumen, and strong alignment with the charity’s mission, positioning Oasis Community Housing for long-term stability and impact.