Our Board
Our Board is the governing body of the association and conducts its business in accordance with its rules (National Housing Federation (NHF), Model Rules 2015), and the regulatory requirements currently overseen by the Homes & Communities Agency.
The Board is responsible for our overall mission, direction and strategy.
Karin Divall - Chair
Karin is a former Assistant Director of Health and Adult Social Care. She worked in Local Government across housing, adult social care and health for thirty-eight years. She led the development of four extra care housing schemes with Brighton & Hove City Council. Karin was previously seconded as a national extra care housing lead for the Department of Health (DoH). She has provided expert advice to the DoH on telecare, Disabled Facilities Grants and daily living equipment, and she was a specialist housing adviser to the LGA. Karin is also currently a trustee with Hastings & Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind. Karin joined the Board in March 2015.
Mary Hope - Deputy Chair
Mary is a career coach and HR Consultant with clients from housing associations, local authorities and charities. Executive recruitment consultant for Campbell Tickell. Former recruitment panel member for Judicial Appointments Commission. Current panel member for the Property Scheme for HS2 and Heathrow Third Runway. A board member for Eastbourne Homes Ltd and formerly for Rosebery Housing Association. Mary joined the Board in May 2016.
Helen Furlong
Helen is a Housing Consultant and Executive Coach. Former Assistant Director of Housing with Brighton and Hove City Council and former Chair and committee member for the Chartered Institute for Housing South Eastern Branch. Currently Helen is a Health coach for the NHS service Live Well Feel Better. She is also a volunteer for the Blind Veterans UK and supports the NSPCC. Helen joined the board in May 2016.
Julian Pitcher
Julian is a chartered accountant with 20 years’ experience in social housing senior management roles. He is Resources Director at Worthing Homes with responsibility for business support services including finance, IT, human resources and governance. Julian was appointed to the board in February 2017 and is chair of the audit and risk committee.
Mary Molyneux
Mary is a former Legal Director of Pearl Life Group and Cable & Wireless Communications plc. Currently she is a member of the Independent Monitoring Board for Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre. Mary joined May 2016.
Paul Brookes
Paul owned a very successful architects practice. He has a whole string of awards to his name and has worked with a number of social housing providers to deliver new homes. He is also a member of the development committee of the Stoll Foundation. Paul joined the Board in May 2019.
Robin Roberts
Robin is CEO of Sutton Housing Society, a housing provider with 485 homes; the majority are sheltered housing. He is also a board member of Berry Brook Home/Wokingham Homes Limited. He was previously Director of Property Services at Worthing Homes. Robin joined the Board in May 2019.
Mike Shepherd
Mike has many years’ experience in housing association development and is the Director of New Business and Development at Vivid Housing. He was also Head of Housing at Basingstoke and Deane Council. Vivid have 30,000 homes and plan to build 17,000 more over the next 10 years. Mike joined the Board in May 2019.
Alison Carver
Alison is currently Chair of a similar but larger London based Association called Central and Cecil Housing Trust. Central and Cecil’s portfolio includes sheltered housing and residential care homes. She was previously CEO of Chichester Diocesan Housing Association and Managing Director of In Touch Support - Hyde Housing Association’s supported housing arm. Alison joined the Board in May 2019.