Key headlines from the 2025 CIH AGM

On Friday 10 October 2025 CIH members, the governing board and the executive team came together for the organisation’s 61st annual general meeting (AGM). 

The AGM provides an opportunity to update members on the performance of CIH and accomplishments over the past 12 months and set out priorities for the year ahead. 

Here’s a summary of the key headlines. 

Continued financial strength 

The governing board highlighted CIH’s continuing financial progress, with the organisation’s revenue exceeding £10 million for the first time in 10 years and a surplus reported in 2024–25 for the sixth successive year. 

CIH’s balance sheet continues to strengthen, with net assets of £8.693 million, a near £13 million improvement on the position at 31 December 2016, which saw a deficit of £3.935 million. Cash performance remains strong, with balances of £5.6 million at year end. 

Julie Haydon becomes CIH president 

Following an incredibly inspirational year, Elly Hoult stepped down from her role as CIH president at the AGM, making way for Julie Haydon to take up this prestigious mantle. 

Julie’s presidential campaign, Rooted in Resilience, launched at the AGM, coinciding with World Mental Health Day.

• Rooted in Resilience: Sitting down with new CIH president Julie Haydon

New governing board trustees appointed 

Evie Copland was officially appointed as CIH’s vice president and co-opted to the governing board, along with Halisha Kaur as Futures representative and Nigel Finney as the representative for the professional standards committee. 

Jerome Tsui and Brett Sadler were also confirmed as governing board trustees, as three others — Ria Bailes, Chan Kataria chair of the audit and risk committee, and co-opted Futures link James Ballantyne — retired from their roles.  

New audit and risk committee chair appointed 

Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher was appointed as successor of Chan Kataria as chair of the audit and risk committee. 

CIH Futures departures and arrivals 

After two years as CIH Futures chair, Halisha Kaur stepped down, making way for vice chair Emma Gilbank to take up the role. Ryan Barclay was officially appointed as CIH Futures vice chair.  

Reflections from the chair of the governing board

John Hannigan, chair of the CIH governing board, closed the AGM. 

He said: “Each year, our AGM offers a valuable moment for reflection and celebration — a reminder that our progress wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our board members, colleagues at CIH, and all our members. I want to sincerely thank each of you for your continued commitment to CIH. I’m also pleased to extend a warm welcome to our newly appointed board members and presidential team. 

“I also want to note and recognise the contribution and commitment of those board and committee members who are standing down at this AGM — in particular Chan Kataria, who will be leaving us after six years, having served as both vice chair of the governing board and chair of the audit and risk committee, and Elly Hoult, who leaves the board at the end of her presidential year. 

“Chan has made a huge contribution to the work of CIH during his time on the board. Elly has brought huge energy and enthusiasm to the presidency with the CHOOSE HOUSING campaign and the impressive amount raised for Barnardo’s.” 

He continued: “Over the past year, CIH has continued to deliver against our corporate plan and long-term strategy. We've invested in and improved on the services and support we give to our members, we’ve worked hard to increase our impact in policy and good practice, and we have continued to build on our financial strength, ending the year with another surplus and a strong balance sheet. 

“Along with my fellow board colleagues, I'm looking forward to building on that progress in the coming year, with a particular focus on continuing to develop our member offer.”