Our Board
There is no doubt that the social housing sector has a big impact on the lives of thousands of people across the country, every day. There is also no doubt the people on the boards of these organisations make decisions which have a long-lasting positive impact for future generations.
Julie Thomas RNMH, DipN, MSc (Gofal Iechyd)
Chair
Julie is a retired Divisional Director of Community Services with Aneurin Bevan Universities Health Board. She joined the board in 2015.
Martin Reed
Vice Chair
Martin is a retired finance director of Brains Brewery. He had worked there for 17 years before he retired in June 2019. He is also a non-exec director of Welsh Whisky.
Anthony Hearn
Anthony is Director of Housing & Communities at Merthyr Valley Homes.
Wendy Bowler MSc (Health), MSc Cert, Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies.
Following a career in the civil service and then public health, Wendy is now a professional genealogist.
Lisa Howells
Lisa is a Sales & Marketing Director for Curo Group with 20 years’ of property experience within the housing sector; member of the Housebuilding Federation and the National Housing Federation.
Cliff Jones
Cliff is a retired banker, Financial Advisor and Relationship Director for the Social Housing Sector, Education and Local Authorities for Barclays in Wales.
Sarah Bees
Sarah has a health and social care background, and is currently a Policy & Project Officer for the Gwent Regional Partnership Team.
John Jackson
With over 25 years marketing experience, John is a strategic marketing consultant. His private practice specialises in brand development, innovation strategy and marketing communications.
Gareth Thomas
Gareth began his career as a carpenter with Powys Council over 10 years ago, with a passion for asset management he worked his way up and got an HNC in Construction. Recently moving to Alliance Homes as a Technical Manager in England he still wanted to be part of Welsh housing so joined our board.
Sanni Salisu
Sanni is a Gas Compliance Officer at CCHA, with over a decade of work experience in the housing sector. He has excelled through the ranks from an apprentice role to making an impact in an Asset and Compliance Team. Sanni has great communication skills and understanding of the heating industry. He specialises in gas compliance and is currently studying asset and building management compliance.
Naomii Thomas MSc
Naomii is a Voids Manager for Cardiff Council who has worked within the Housing Sector since 2009. Naomii passed a Masters Degree in Advanced Housing with Distinction in 2021. She is Qualified in P405 Management of Asbestos in Buildings and currently studying NEBOSH Health and Safety. Naomii has a passion for achieving a more diverse housing sector and is a member of the Deeds Not Words panel.
Barry Thompson
Barry brings 27 years’ experience of working in the housing sector. 21 of which were working as a Finance Director and has worked on the Board of several housing associations since 2009. Barry has a comprehensive understanding of the operation of all areas of housing, with specific skill and expertise in relation to the business planning, accounting and control, risk, risk management and audit, as well as strategic management.
Natalie Gardner
Natalie’s background is in disability welfare and community Eengagement. Natalie has been Chair of our Melin Voices group since 2017, working closely with our Communities Team. She has studied Psychology and Governance and works for South Wales Police. Natalie is passionate about making a positive difference in our communities.
Paula Kennedy
Paula has worked in social housing for over 28 years, with 16 of these based in Wales.
Appointed as Chief Executive in 2017, she brings with her a wealth of knowledge from her previous roles with Brunel Care and Herefordshire housing.
Peter Crockett
Peter has held senior posts in the housing association sector since 1995 where he gained considerable experience in all aspects of commercial activities including strategic finance, loan funding, development and all other support services.
