Bermuda Housing Corporation chairman Larry Burchall has revealed that BHC general manager Edward Cowen was asked to retire to make way for new blood.

"It was time to move things further and faster,'' said Mr. Burchall. "We felt it was unreasonable to ask Mr. Cowen to get in step with us at his age.'' But he stressed: "That's not to denigrate his age or contribution.'' Mr. Burchall noted: "I thought Mr. Cowen coming to the Bermuda Housing Corporation brought a breath of fresh air into the organisation which had not been performing well prior to 1992.'' However, the BHC board felt it was time for someone to fill the general manager role who had new ideas and new initiatives to combat the Island's housing problem, he said. Mr. Cowen's retirement was effective September 1, following a decision process at board level over whether to offer the 69-year-old a new contract or to bring new blood into the organisation, said Mr. Burchall. Mr. Cowen had been without a contract since March, 1998, he pointed out.

"Mr. Cowen was hired by the previous Minister when he was 63-years-old and worked under a series of contracts,'' Mr. Burchall explained. "But he had not been under contract for some months and the time had come for him to be offered a new contract or to retire.'' The decision to ask Mr. Cowen to retire was met with Ministerial approval.

Advertising for a replacement will begin next week, added Mr. Burchall.

Retired: BHC general manager Edward Cowen