Our Board

 

Non-Executive Director: Board Chair, Member of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee.

Paul is semi-retired after nearly 50 years in Housing working in the Local Authority and Housing Association sectors.  After retiring from his job as Executive Director at Arena Housing Group and as a qualified management coach and member of the ILM Paul ran his own coaching and management consultancy “Cloud Coaching Consultancy” from 2012 – 2020 providing coaching, management services, and Governance advice to individuals and organisations.

Paul is currently Chair of the NHF’s NW Board Members Forum and is an active participant in a number of other housing based forums locally and nationally, as well as providing mentee support to existing and prospective Board members.

Paul stood down as Chair of Prima Housing Group in September 2019 after 7 years on the Board. Passionate about housing, Paul has a real customer focus, in particular how residents can influence service delivery and the governance of organisations.

 

 

Non-Executive Director – Deputy Board Chair, Chair of Group Audit & Assurance Committee

Now retired, Patrick has worked in social housing for over 30 years, having worked for four housing associations, all of whom were stock transfer.

He has previously worked in the private sector in the engineering, iron and steel industries.

Patrick is also a qualified accountant (CIPFA and CIMA).

Non-Executive Director: Member of Group Audit & Assurance Committee, Member of Complaints Panel.

Now retired from his position with Plus Dane Group as Managing Director with responsibility for managing a £100M housing management contract with Cheshire West and Chester, Peter brings a wide range of housing and financial experience and knowledge.

Peter has held a number of senior executive positions with several registered housing providers throughout his 26 year career in the housing sector. As a qualified accountant (CIPFA), he has been Group Finance Director for Signpost Housing Group, Dane Housing Group and Plus Dane Group. During his time with Dane Housing Group, he also held directorships overseeing the New Development Team, the Housing and Supported Housing Teams as well as the Repair and Maintenance Team.

 

Non-Executive Director: Chair of Weaver Horizons Board, Member of Complaints Panel.

Now retired, Andy has worked in the Construction Industry for over 40 years having started as an Apprentice Joiner and moving up the ranks. He has held Managing Director and Executive positions since 2002 within the Housing Sector.

His specialisms are directly employed Building Companies, Asset Management, New Build Development and External Business Growth.

Andy is currently Deputy Chair at Westmoreland Supported Housing Association.

Non-Executive Director: Member of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee

Mike is a solicitor who retired in 2019 from practice, after 37 years’ experience working in and with the housing sector.  His final position was as managing partner of Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s Manchester office, where he led its extensive team since 2006.

Mike is currently the Chair of the Board at Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and the Old Trafford based charity TLC: Talk, Listen, Change, which works to support people to have safe, healthy and happy relationships.

In addition, Mike is also a Board Member / Trustee of Wakefield & District Housing, Housing Diversity Network, National Communities Resource Centre and Caritas Care.

Non-Executive Director: Chair of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee, Member of Complaints Panel

Lynne is a strategic leader with over 30 years experience in the commercial and not for profit sectors. An experienced leader with excellent knowledge of business management, strategy and sales, she has a track record of delivering results across all aspects of an organisation, leading to sustained growth and profitability.  Lynne has strong team leadership skills and extensive experience in business development activity.

Lynne has held key roles in BT, O2, Cap Gemini, DSGI, Genesis Communications and The Institute of Customer Service where for the last 8 years she has worked with CEO’s across a number of business sectors helping them to improve their business results particularly around the customer experience. 

Lynne is extremely customer focused and is well known for her passion about embedding outstanding service across organisations.

Non-Executive Director: Member of Group Audit & Assurance Committee, Member of Complaints Panel

Ben is an experienced communications professional, specialising in public affairs, media relations and campaigns. He currently works for Nautilus International, the trade union and professional association for maritime professionals.

He previously spent almost a decade working in Westminster and served as a Councillor on Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Ben has held a number of board level positions locally, including as a Non-Executive Director of Marketing Cheshire and Avenue Services, and as Chair of Overview and Scrutiny for Cheshire and Merseyside Local Enterprise Partnership.

He lives locally in Helsby and is passionate about contributing to the local area.

 

Non-Executive Director: Member of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee, Member of Complaints Panel

Priti has 30 years’ experience directing, leading, and developing children and families, adult social care, health and wellbeing and employment and skills services.  Priti has held the position of Executive Director for The Big Life Group, a social business, and charity for the past 23 years. She has a strong social values base which drives her passion for innovation and creativity to deliver high quality services to those most in need and whose circumstances can make them marginalised.

Priti is passionate about how we drive change and embrace keeping people and communities at the forefront of everything we do. Empowering people to remain in control, have a voice and to makes choices that improve their lives.

As a leader in a Social Enterprise business development is a key strength having successfully secured a range of public services and taken them through transformational change and making them sustainable within the third sector. 

Prior to this, Priti has 10 years’ experience of successfully managing ‘Care in the Community’ leading on change management from residential institutions to community based independent living for adults with learning disabilities and mental health.

Non-Executive Director: Member of Complaints Panel

Tim has been Vicar of Christ Church, Winsford since 2000. Before that he worked for a Church in Bournemouth and was a Police Officer in London. 

He has experience of Christian ministry around the country and in Kenya. 

Tim is the Co- Chair of Governors at Wharton Primary School and also of the North West Gospel Partnership - a network of Churches which serve the North West region of the UK. 

Co-optee Member: Group Audit and Assurance Committee

Kirsty is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and has spent over 20 years working in the charity / not-for-profit sector.

Kirsty worked for an international care charity for over 15 years before moving into the social housing sector.  She is currently the Director of Resources at Warrington Housing Association and is responsible for Finance, Governance, ICT and Business Support functions.

Kirsty has lived in Cheshire West for over 20 years and is keen to contribute to the local area.

Co-optee Member: Group Audit and Assurance Committee

Neil is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants who has been Director of Resources with the General Medical Council (GMC), a national charity and regulator, for over 15 years.  In his role at the GMC Neil is responsible for Finance, HR, IT, Estates, Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement, GDPR Compliance and Procurement.  Neil has experience of working with the GMC’s Audit and Risk Committee and a member of GMC’s Investment Committee. 

Neil has also been a Non-Executive Director with Bedspace Resources, a provider of services to vulnerable adults and children across the North West.

Non-Executive Director

Sonia is currently the Director of Public Sector Transformation for Cheshire and Warrington bringing in investment across the sub region for individuals and families with complex barriers and to tackle long term unemployment. Having previously worked in social housing for Plus Dane Group, Sonia is looking forward to her Board role at Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

She is also a member of Inclusive Companies Black Leaders network with extensive leadership skills, working in black and culturally diverse communities for over 30 years, having over 30 years’ experience of supporting charities either at Board level or operationally.  Sonia was awarded an MBE in the Queens New Years Honours 2017 for her work in communities across Liverpool, particularly work in diverse communities and is currently chair of Mandela8 and Africa Oye, two Liverpool based charities.