A housing association has appointed its new chief executive.

Emma Palmer will bring 26 years of housing related work experience to her new role at Greenfields Community Housing.

Joining from Flagship Housing Group, where she held the role of executive director, Mrs Palmer will take up her role in October.

She said: "I am delighted and honoured to be joining Greenfields.

"It is a great organisation with huge potential and an exciting future.

"I very much look forward to working with the team, residents and stakeholders in delivering the next chapter for Greenfields.”

Mrs Palmer started her career at Suffolk Heritage Housing Association before working for Ipswich Borough Homes, Moat, Estuary Housing Association and East Thames Group.

She spent a year as managing director of Suffolk Heritage before joining Flagship in 2010.

She is a non-executive director of Suffolk Housing Society and has held various other board positions over 13 years.

Dale Butcher, chairman of Greenfields' board, said: "Emma was selected unanimously by the interview panel from a very strong field of candidates.

"The level of interest in this role demonstrates the exciting future that Greenfields has before it.”

Interim chief executive Pat Brandum will pass the baton to Mrs Palmer during a handover period until October.

Five residents joined members of the company's leadership team to quiz the applicants earlier this year.