Our Board

Paul Smith - 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. Prior to joining the Trust, Paul spent 7 years on the Board at Prima Housing Group.

Paul is currently Chair of the National Housing Federation’s North West 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 is passionate about housing and has a real customer focus, in particular how customers 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.

Mike Gaskell - Non Executive Director: Member of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee, ED&I Board Champion

Mike is a solicitor who retired in 2019 from practice, after 37 years’ experience working in and with the housing sector. His previous position was as a Managing Partner of Trowers & Hamlins LLPs in Manchester, where he led its extensive team. Mike is currently the Chair of the Board at Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and the 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.

Lynne Mills - Non Executive Director: Chair of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee

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, customer service strategy and sales. She has a track record of delivering results across all aspects of an organisation, leading to sustained customer service excellence, business 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, The Dixon Group International, Genesis Communications and the Institute of Customer Service where for the last 8 years she has worked with CEOs across a number of different 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.

Ben Powell - Non Executive Director: Member of Group Audit & Assurance Committee

Ben is an experienced communications professional, specialising in public affairs, media relations and campaigns. He is currently Account Director at Hough Bellis Communications. He previously spent almost a decade working in Westminster and served as a Councillor on Cheshire West and Chester Council. He has also worked for health and maritime trade unions, as well as being part of the senior management team at 38 Degrees.

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 a 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. 

Sonia Bassey MBE - Non Executive Director: Member of Weaver Horizons Board

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. Sonia previously worked in social housing for Plus Dane Group and is currently a member of Inclusive Companies Black Leaders network.

Sonia has extensive leadership skills, working in black and culturally diverse communities. Sonia has over 30 years experience supporting charities either at Board level or operationally. Sonia was awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year’s 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.

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.