Board
The Board set strategic direction and monitors our progress towards achieving our Corporate Plan and Strategies.
Becoming a Board Member is an excellent opportunity to get involved with the running of the Trust by helping to set the ongoing strategic direction. Vacancies will be advertised on this site. For more information contact Suzanne Nowell.
Paul Smith
Non-Executive Director: Board Chair and Member of the Group Governance and Remuneration Committee
Paul is semi retired after over 45 years in Housing working in the Local Authority and Housing Association sectors. Paul has run his own coaching and management consultancy ‘Cloud Coaching Consultancy’ since 2012 after retiring from his job as Executive Director at Arena Housing Group.
Paul is a qualified coach and member of the ILM. Cloud coaching consultancy delivers coaching and management services, including Governance advice to individuals and organisations to tackle operational and governance challenges. Paul has worked with a number of North West based Housing Associations as well as private companies.
Paul stood down, as Chair of Prima Housing Group in September 2019 after 7 years on the Board and he is also Chair of the NHF Board Members Forum. Passionate about housing, Paul has a real customer focus, in particular how residents can influence service delivery and the governance of organisations.
Jacqui Chatwood
Non-Executive Director: Deputy Chair, Chair of Group Governance and Remuneration Committee, Chair of Weaver Horizons
Jacqui is a qualified Chartered Accountant, and has spent over 15 years in accountancy practice, working her way up from graduate trainee to partner before moving into industry.
She was Managing Director of a management consultancy which provides learning and development services to multinational blue chip companies, public sector entities and large SME's for 10 years. Jacqui is now working as a Consultant.
Jacqui is also a Governor and Chair of the Finance Committee at a Further Education college in Lancashire. Jacqui brings her broad range of financial expertise, strategic planning and leadership skills and is known for her passion for people development and helping build businesses.
Peter Shaw
Non-Executive Director: Member of Development Panel, 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.
Andy Stafford
Non-Executive Director: Member of Development Panel, Member of Weaver Horizons, 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 and New Build Development.
Andy is currently Chair at Westmoreland Supported Housing Association.
Barbara Dean
Non-Executive Director: Chair of Development Panel, & Chair of Complaints Panel
Barbara has been self employed most of her working life and then went on to work in credit control within the Winsford, Northwich and Crewe areas for six years prior to her retirement.
After retirement Barbara found she missed being part of a business and wanted to be involved with something she cared very much about. Barbara became a volunteer member of our Tenant Consultative Committee (now the Customer Voice Panel) for two years prior to her joining the Board.
Mike Gaskell
Non-Executive Director: Member of Group Governance & Remuneration Committee
Mike is a solicitor with 35 years’ experience working in and with the housing sector. He recently retired from his position as managing partner of Trowers & Hamlins' LLP’s Manchester office, where he led its extensive team since 2006.
Mike is currently the Chair of Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and Chair of the Old Trafford based charity TLC (Talk, Listen, Change) which works to support people to have safe, healthy and happy relationships.
He has previously been Chair of Trafford Housing Trust and a Board Member of Manchester Care & Repair.
Lynne Mills
Non-Executive Director: Member of Group Governance and 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, 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.
Tony Harker
Non-Executive Director: Member of Development Panel
Tony started his career in Finance working in business development, mortgage underwriting and e-commerce. After a short period working in Travel & Tourism he moved into Housing, starting with Barratt Homes before a 13 year career in affordable housing working for a number of leading regional and national Housing Associations.
He has held senior roles since 2012 and is renowned for delivering high levels of customer service and his dedication to helping people onto the property ladder. Tony currently runs his own consultancy providing sales, marketing and leasehold support to the housing industry and suppliers.
Tony specialises in property sales and marketing including PR and communications, market analysis, build quality and aftercare, stock rationalisation, commercial sales and lettings within new developments and a number of major regeneration schemes. He is also an expert in leasehold legal transactions and tenant into home ownership products.
Patrick McCarthy
Non-Executive Director: Chair of Group Audit and Assurance Committee, Member of Development Panel
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).
Kirsty Capper
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.
Neil Roberts
Co-optee Member: Group Audit and Assurance Committee
Neil is a Chartered Management Accountant who has been Director of Resources with the GMC (General Medical Council), 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 as well as co-chairing the GMC’s Programme Board 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.