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13th March 2026
Karibu Community Homes Chief Executive Ricky Scipio to Retire After 25 Years of Leadership
Karibu Community Homes has announced that Chief Executive Ricky Scipio, a long-standing and respected Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) leader within the housing sector, will retire at the end of September 2026 after more than 35 years in social housing and 25 years of executive leadership.
One of the defining achievements of Ricky’s later leadership was the merger between Inquilab Housing Association and Westway Housing Association, completed on 1 April 2024 to create Karibu Community Homes Limited, “Karibu” meaning “Welcome” in Swahili. The merger brought together two organisations with strong community roots to create the largest Black and Minority Ethnic led housing provider.
Ricky’s leadership has combined strong governance with deep social purpose. He has played a significant role in shaping Karibu into a financially strong and resident focused organisation. His commitment to residents and his role as an influential BME leader has helped shape Karibu’s identity and values, leaving a lasting legacy for the organisation and the communities it serves.
Reflecting on his retirement, Ricky Scipio said:
“After 25 extraordinary years as a Chief Executive, I have decided that the time has come to retire. I do so with confidence in the future — Karibu Community Homes is well positioned for the years ahead: financially strong, ambitious in its plans, and unwavering in its commitment to delivering high-quality homes and services.”
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Chair Dave Baptiste said:
“Karibu is so much more than one organisation – we are 1,900 households across London, supported by committed staff, Board members and engaged residents. Ricky has been a key leader in taking us from merger to this point. I want to personally thank him for his commitment to Karibu.”
Ricky will continue to lead the organisation through the transition period to ensure stability and continuity and will step down from his role at the end of September 2026.
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