Amy Cheswick, Treasurer
Head of Housing Management, Raven Housing Trust
I am Head of Housing at Raven Housing Trust and have over 20 years experience working in social housing. Previously I worked for Paragon Community Housing Group, Richmond Churches Housing Trust, Elmbridge Housing Trust, Hyde Housing Group and Moat Housing Group.
I have managed housing management teams, projects, strategic initiatives and organisational change. In addition, I have spoken at conferences on welfare reform, anti-social behaviour, mental health and housing, resident scrutiny and affordable rent.
Robert Wassall, Board Member
Solicitor, Trethowans
I work with a law firm, Trethowans and run my own, separate consultancy business. I have spent virtually all my professional career advising social landlords, mostly registered providers. I specialise in advising about residential landlord & tenant disputes, regulation, governance and data protection.
I am a board member of Greenoak Housing, based in Woking and have previously been a regional board member at Southern Housing.
Elly Hoult, Communications Officer
Head of Business Improvement & Development, Orbit Group. I lead business development, engage with stakeholders and provide growth opportunities for Orbit Services and Service Matters within and outside the Orbit Group. I oversee the Business Improvement function enabling the embedding of Lean systems and processes thinking to support Orbit’s 2020 vision. I have worked with numerous Housing Associations which has given me a breadth of experience. I have lead successful improvement programmes whilst engaging employees to embrace change. I am passionate about Housing as a profession, have an MA in Housing and I am the elected Communications Officer on the CIH South East Board.
Stacey Stephens, Board Member
Business Improvement Manager, Sentinel Housing Association
I’ve worked in a variety of roles in housing over the past five years. Working initially as a housing officer, I dealt with every aspect of tenancy management, such as anti-social behaviour, lettings and income recovery. I then went onto become a Team Leader for our Older Person’s housing, managing a team of eleven Scheme Co-ordinators. My responsibilities included ensuring my team provided an excellent enhanced management service to our customers, that our KPIs were met, and that we complied with the additional health and safety requirements for this specialist accommodation.
In my present role as Business Improvement Manager, I’m responsible for driving performance improvement and enhancing the service delivered to our customers. This includes reviewing our polices, procedures and processes.
I am a fully Chartered Member of the CIH, further to completing a Post Graduate Professional Diploma in Housing Studies. Last year I completed my MSc in Housing Studies through the CIH/De Montfort University and passed with distinction. The focus of my final year of studies was educational development - specifically Professionalism and the Housing Sector.
Anne Chapman, Chair
New Business Manager / Solicitor, Golding Homes Limited
I am a practising solicitor providing an in-house legal service to Golding Homes which is one of the largest not-for-profit housing associations in the South East region. In addition, I am their New Business Manager which role encompasses development and management of commercial, market-rent and leasehold properties. I enthusiastically support the promotion of networking and sharing of best practice which is demonstrated in my role as the co-chair of the Kent and Medway Social Landlords Group.
In order to further my knowledge within the housing sector, I am currently undertaking a Masters in Housing Studies at London South Bank University.
In addition to housing, I have a wide-ranging work experience in other sectors including health, education and voluntary. I have previously chaired two NHS trusts and I am currently trustee of the national charity Addaction.
I have considerable experience of managing teams as well as providing training especially in areas of law, commercial property and housing management.
Alan Catterick, Policy officer
I became involved in social housing in 2005 during the Mole Valley District Council housing stock transfer to Mole Valley Housing Association. During the early stages I was the champion for sheltered housing tenants. I subsequently served on the shadow board, responsible for setting out the transfer conditions and incorporating the housing association into the Circle Anglia Group.
In 2007 I was nominated as tenant chair of the management board. I also served on Circle's management board and the group's strategy board. I relinquished these positions in March 2013 because of regulatory requirements.
As a CIH South East board member, I have responsibility for policy. I take an active interest in housing and support for elderly people, and social housing that provides tenants with a sustainable environment and life chances.
As a mechanical design engineer, I have worked for the Ministry of Overseas Development in planning, funding and applying agricultural-related projects in 12 African countries over 24 years. Since 1999 I’ve worked as a design engineer in Dorking.
I have also been a member of various international committees in both the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, and chaired the UNIDO small-scale mechanisation committee.
Leslie Channon, Board member
With an entertainment background, I hold a BA Theatre Arts (cum laude) from the University of Southern California. As a resident I was supported by Cottsway Housing Association to complete CIH Level 4 Certificate for the Housing Profession (QCF), qualifying to study for an MA Housing Practice at the University of Westminster this autumn.
An original member of Cottsway Housing Association's resident scrutiny panel since 2011, I was appointed chair in May 2013. The panel received the Tenant Participation Advisory Service award for Excellence in Tenant Scrutiny 2013 (southern region). My involvement in tenant-led scrutiny and experience as a social housing service-user brings a unique voice to the people that the housing industry serves.
Vivien Knibbs, Board Member
I have been working in housing in the South and London for over 30 years. My experience within the housing association sector includes managing and developing a wide range of supported and general needs provision, and housing for older people.
I spent a number of years in the voluntary sector as Director of Hact - this gave me the opportunity to understand the housing situation throughout the UK, and to see many exciting and innovative projects first-hand.
I currently work as an executive director at Orbit, with responsibility for the East, South and Midlands regions. I have worked for Orbit for six years.
I am passionate about delivering great customer service for residents and playing a wider role in communities. I feel we have a great opportunity to make a real difference and a responsibility to do so.
I am currently a member of the NHF South East committee and an enthusiastic supporter of joined-up working across our region between the NHF and the CIH.
Karen Stannard, Vice Chair
I started my working life, aged 18, with Barclays Bank. After a few years with Barclays I became an officer at Tonbridge job centre. When my daughter was born I had several years at home - but helped people set up their own businesses, with my banking experience.
About ten years ago my disability changed - I now uses a wheelchair for the majority of my time. After doing some voluntary work, I found myself in demand for disability advice. I became an adviser for Russet Homes and became interested in Homes for Life.
I have been a CIH member for several years. I now run my own business as a disability consultant while still keeping up my voluntary work.
Andy Staniford, Board and International Group Member
Housing Strategy Manager, Brighton & Hove City Council
My local government career started by accident when I got a 6 month post as a temporary part time rent cashier just before my 21st birthday. I found I thrived in the local government environment working with residents and partner organisations and 24 years later I am still enjoying the variety of challenges thrown my way.
I am involved in a wide variety of activities covering all parts of the housing spectrum and wider work with planning, regeneration, social care, health and the third sector. My career has helped me develop strengths in strategy development, project management, finance, partnership working and have been lucky enough to be invited to speak at a number of international events.
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Gill Peckham, Board Member
Housing Manager – Supported Housing & Lettings, Raven Housing Trust
I have a breadth of housing skills and experience gathered over 13 years of working in social housing across different teams, roles and responsibilities.
I currently work at Raven Housing Trust managing the Allocations and Supported Housing teams and have been involved with supporting vulnerable people since 2003. I also have organisational responsibility for Safeguarding Adults and Health & Safety and have been one of Raven’s internal coaches since 2012. Previously I worked for Anchor Trust and Home Group.
I have held business development and performance roles across the South East; overseeing projects, strategic initiatives and service development; as well as helping to steer local authority Older People’s Housing reviews, and the re-profiling of services across the region.
I was elected to the CIHSE Board in 2015 and am looking forwards to using my knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to support and represent members in the South East to drive forwards the housing issues we all face.
Graham Maunders, Board Member
Managing Director – Graham Maunders Associates Ltd
I have worked in housing and regeneration for over 35 years. My experience includes local authorities and housing associations - covering a wide range of functions: governance, neighbourhood management, property management, development, regeneration, community investment and development.
I was seconded into Regulation at the Housing Corporation and subsequently became the Investment Planning Manager for the 37 councils across Kent, Sussex & Surrey.
In 2001 I became Chief Executive of eb4U - the delivery vehicle for the £47m New Deal for Communities social, economic and environmental regeneration programme for east Brighton.
In 2006 I established Graham Maunders Associates Housing & Regeneration Consultancy which focuses on governance, strategy and operational effectiveness.
I have served on the board of a number of housing organisations. I am currently
Chair of Sussex Oakleaf housing association delivering housing and services to people with mental health issues, and an Independent member of the Affinity Sutton South East / South West Regional Scrutiny Board.
I am a Fellow of CIH and a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. I have served on CIH National Council, Vice Chair of the national Learn and Improve Board and as Chair / Vice Chair of the CIH South East Regional Committee.