Meet the Board

Board directors do not receive any payment from the association for their time and expertise 

 

Chris Fawcett

Chris Fawcett (Chair)

Appointed to the Board: 1st March 2019
Chris is chief executive of a social housing provider. Prior to this he held executive director, management and strategic IT related roles with a housing association and a local authority.
Chris was elected as Chair by the board of directors in July 2022.

Carl Makin

Carl Makin (Vice-Chair)

Appointed to the Board: 1st July 2018
Carl is a PhD researcher at the University of York researching housing law and regulation. He previously worked for Railway Housing Association during his undergraduate studies, establishing the association’s asset and liabilities register.
Carl is a member of the Audit Committee.

Philip Dunn

Philip Dunn (Chair of the Audit Committee)

Appointed to the Board: August 2020
Philip currently works as an Executive Director at one of the UK's biggest charities and has spent his entire career working in finance.

Anthony Bell

Anthony Bell (Chair of Remuneration & Governance Committee)

Appointed to the Board: November 2020
Anthony is an Assistant Director of Assets & Regeneration at a housing association. A qualified surveyor, he has worked in the private and public sector for his entire career, specialising in commercial and residential work.

Michael Lawrence

Michael Lawrence

Appointed to the Board: December 2021
A CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualified accountant, this is Michael’s first non-executive role having previously been in Finance Director and Managing Director roles across a range of industries.
Michael is a member of the Audit Committee.

Mark Grandfield

Mark Grandfield

Appointed to the Board: August 2022
Mark is chief executive of a local housing association. A qualified building surveyor Mark has held previous strategic roles in asset management, regeneration and investment with local authorities and housing associations.
Mark is a member of the Audit Committee.

Sharon Thomas

Sharon Thomas

Appointed to the Board: January 2023
Sharon spent seven years working as Director of Development and Regeneration at Middlesbrough Borough Council before moving to Thirteen Group in 2017 where she is now Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Sharon is a member of the Remuneration & Governance Committee.

Matt Lewer

Matt Lewer

Appointed to the Board: May 2023
Matt has a wealth of experience in the housing sector, and is currently the Service Transformation Lead at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), ensuring the residents' voices are heard.
Matt is a member of the Remuneration & Governance Committee.